Shizuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu abruptly announced his resignation after giving a speech that insulted farmers, ranchers and factory workers.
His remarks, along with his unprofessional way of calling it quits and his totally inadequate explanation for his words and deeds, all indicated he was not fit to hold public office.
In an April 1 address to newly hired prefectural government employees, Kawakatsu stated: “The prefectural office is a think tank. Unlike (people who) sell vegetables, attend to cattle, or manufacture products, you all have brains and are highly intelligent.”
The following day, when asked by a reporter if he felt his statement amounted to occupational discrimination, Kawakatsu stood firm, saying, “Though professions differ, my fundamental view is that no job is superior or inferior to another.”
However, by contrasting employees who “have brains and are highly intelligent” with people in other professions, he effectively implied those jobs do not require intelligence, which is downright insulting. Given Kawakatsu’s academic background as a scholar, his stance had particularly grave implications.
While speaking with reporters, he abruptly announced that he will resign in the June prefectural assembly session and left. He later apologized in an April 3 news conference, saying, “I’m sorry if (my words) have hurt anyone.” Yet he did not retract his statement, describing it as a “figure of speech.”
Kawakatsu explained the main reason for his resignation was that debate on a project by Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) to construct a Linear Chuo Shinkansen (maglev train) Line to link Tokyo and Nagoya has led to “a milestone (decision),” apparently referring to JR Tokai’s recent announcement that it has abandoned plans to start operating the service in 2027.
Kawakatsu had refused to approve tunnel construction work within his prefecture’s jurisdiction, which effectively caused the delay.
This explanation does not directly address the criticism about his discriminatory remarks nor provide reasonable justification for his sudden resignation, which will cause confusion in the prefectural administration. He has acted very irresponsibly.
Along with his stance on the maglev line project, Kawakatsu is known for his outspoken position against the central government on issues such as former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s refusal, without explanation, to endorse the appointment of some scholars to the Science Council of Japan.
He has also been criticized for his rhetorical habit of demeaning others to praise something. For instance, during a speech to support a candidate’s election campaign, he disparaged an opposing candidate’s region as having nothing but the Koshihikari variety of rice.
What cannot be overlooked is his tendency to show disrespect for people by using terms related to intellectual ability, such as “intelligence” and “culture.”
For example, he linked academic achievement and appearance by commenting on female students at a university where he once served as president, saying, “They are all beautiful because they have passed an entrance exam with an acceptance rate of one in 11 applicants.”
In his address to new prefectural government employees, Kawakatsu stressed the importance of studying. It is the practice of discovering worlds beyond our imagination. Refusing to acknowledge one’s mistakes or weaknesses is hardly an intellectual stance. He should show respect for the intelligence with which each member of society earnestly lives their day-to-day life.
Discrimination isn’t always based on malice; it can occur unintentionally; a lesson Japanese society has learned in recent years. It appears that Kawakatsu has failed to keep up with changes in perceptions concerning such issues over time. However, this problem is not unique to him.
If Kawakatsu could set an example by demonstrating earnest attention to feedback from others, society could learn much from it.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 5
EDITORIAL: Mr. Kawakatsu, climb off your perch and admit to own mistakes
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05.04.2024
Shizuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu abruptly announced his resignation after giving a speech that insulted farmers, ranchers and factory workers.
His remarks, along with his unprofessional way of calling it quits and his totally inadequate explanation for his words and deeds, all indicated he was not fit to hold public office.
In an April 1 address to newly hired prefectural government employees, Kawakatsu stated: “The prefectural office is a think tank. Unlike (people who) sell vegetables, attend to cattle, or manufacture products, you all have brains and are highly intelligent.”
The following day, when asked by a reporter if he felt his statement amounted to occupational discrimination, Kawakatsu stood firm, saying, “Though professions differ, my fundamental view is that no job is superior or inferior to another.”
However, by contrasting employees who “have brains and are highly intelligent” with people in other professions, he effectively implied those jobs do not require........
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