Yokohama Mayor Resigns After 'Seppuku' Remark to Staff

Yokohama Mayor Takeharu Yamashika has announced his intention to resign, capping a controversy fueled by allegations of abusive language and power harassment towards his staff. The scandal came to light in January when the then-head of the personnel department, Jun Kubota, publicly accused the mayor of misconduct.

Among the most shocking accusations was that Yamashika told an employee to 'commit seppuku,' a ritual suicide historically associated with samurai. The mayor also reportedly yelled at staff and threw documents, according to a third-party investigation report released on March 30.

The investigation confirmed that Yamashika had engaged in workplace bullying. His resignation will trigger a mayoral election within 50 days, though he has indicated a possibility of running again after consulting with his supporters. The controversy has cast a shadow over his tenure and raised questions about workplace conduct in public office.