The assembly's 87 members are elected every four years in 40 districts by single non-transferable vote. Nine of the electoral districts correspond with the wards of Kobe city and the remaining 31 districts are made up of the cities and districts (towns and villages) of the prefecture. The electoral district that represents the city of Himeji is the largest, electing 8 representatives to the assembly.[2]
The assembly is responsible for acting as a balance against the Governor of Hyōgo Prefecture who is responsible for the administration of the prefecture. This role includes enacting and amending prefectural ordinances, approving the budget and checking the administration.[3]
Current composition
The 2015 Hyogo prefectural election took place on April 12, 2015, as part of the 2015 unified local elections. It was the first election following a reduction in the number of members from 89 to 87. Elections were held in 23 districts and representatives for the remaining 17 districts were elected unopposed.[4] The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) maintained their position as the largest group in the assembly with a total of 40 seats (official candidates plus independents endorsed by the party), but were unable to secure the 44 seats required for an outright majority. The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was reduced from 16 seats to 11. The Japan Innovation Party, contesting the unified local elections for the first time, won nine seats.[5] Voter turnout was 40.55%, a reduction of 0.88% compared to the 2011 election.[6] Following the election, the LDP's Noriyuki Ishikawa and Ryosuke Ueda were elected speaker and vice-speaker of the assembly.[7]
As of February 2016, the assembly was composed as follows:[8]
Most electoral districts correspond to the current cities of the prefecture, but several districts correspond to former districts which are no longer administrative units but are still used in the addresses of regional areas. Kobe, the largest city in the prefecture, is divided such that each of the city's nine wards is a separate electoral district.[2] In 2014 the assembly voted to reduce the size of the assembly from 89 to 87, which resulted in a merger of the Sayō and Akō-Akō districts, as well as Takasago district's representation being reduced from two members to one.
Expenses for political activities unauthorized use problem
On July 1, 2014, triggered by the press conference by Ryutaro Nonomura, then assemblymember, who was accused of the unauthorized use of expenses for political activities in the previous fiscal year, they conducted an investigation on political expenses for the past three fiscal years, which they carried out for all prefectural assemblymembers, and publicized the results. As a result of the investigation, it was found that 24 prefectural assembly members, which corresponds to roughly 30%, and one faction's use of a total expenditure of approximately 4.9 million yen was illegal, and demanded its return.[9][10]
Citizen groups filed a resident audit request against 8 Hyōgo Prefectural Assemblymembers, including those who had resigned, demanding returns alleging that there were improper expenditures in the expenses for political activities, but on November 11, 2014, the prefectural audit committee members rejected the request alleging that the billing period for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 had expired. They also dismissed the request for fiscal 2013.[11]
When suspicions first rose up, Nonomura strongly asserted that the use of expenses for political activities was something legal,[12] but he eventually resigned from the prefectural assembly by the date July 11,[13][14] and returned a total of 18.34 million yen in political expenses that he received since fiscal 2011 and approximately 890,000 yen of delinquency charge.[15][16] In July, the Prefectural Assembly brought an accusation against Nonomura to the HPP on the crime of making of false documents/uttering of same in the joint names of each faction representative,[14] and in the subsequent criminal investigation, it became clear that he had carried out one-day Fabricated business trips spanning 197 times a year,[17] buying cash vouchers under the guise of "postage fees" and privately using them,[18] falsification of his credit card usage statement,[19] etc. In January 2015, the prefectural police sent the files on Nonomura to the Kōbe District Public Prosecutors Office (KDPPO) on suspicion of fraud and making of false documents/uttering of same.[20] The opinion of "Severe punishment", which seeks an indictment, was marked for the prosecution.[21] On August 18 of the same year, the KDPPO indicted Nonomura without arrest[22] with fraud and making of false documents/uttering of same in which he cheated them out of a total of 9,132,050 yen in expenses for political activities. On July 6, 2016, the Kōbe District Court handed down a prison with hard labour sentence of 3 years and a suspended sentence of 4 years after it became an unusual public trial such as detention procedures being adopted because he refused to appear at the first public trial.[23]
Furthermore, on the occasion of the scandal of Nonomura being scooped, coupled with the fact that it was an extremely strange spectacle in which the person in question answered questions while wailing in a loud voice at a press conference, they called it a big topic in the world, and not only was it made into a joke by comedians on Variety shows, but it was also to the extent that productions like parodies of the same conference were done in some of the TV dramas and TV animations.[24][25] Moreover, many MAD Movies and Doujin music that sampled the state of the press conference were posted on the Internet,[26] and "N’A-! HA-HA-HA-HA-HAA! This Japan NNF NNF N-HAAAAAAAAAAAN! AU-AUOUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUAN! THIS JAPAN AU AU……AAH! I VANT TO JANGE……UGH……the world!", which corrupted the exclamatory noises at the time of Nonomura's conference, was chosen for the Silver Award in the Internet Buzzwords Grand Prize of the same fiscal year.[27]
Hideo Iwatani, an LDP prefectural asm., had earmarked the highest returned amount of approximately 1.69 million yen for gasoline charges for his personal use, etc.[9][28] Moreover, Shinobu Kamo, an LDP prefectural asm., returned approximately one million yen for Travel expenses for business trips accompanied by his family, etc.[9][28] Citizen's Ombudsman Hyōgo and the like are filing criminal complaints against Iwatani and Kamo on suspicion of fraud, etc.[9][28]
Other scandals
November 2018 – Prefectural Asm. Akihito Tarutani (43 years old, Independent=elected by Akashi City) had failed to pay his Taxes and National Health Insurance Premiums for a long time period, and received a foreclosure notice on his assembly members' salary. In the past, Tarutani had repeatedly stirred up troubles in which he did things like repeatedly absenting himself without leave at local events in Akashi City and failing to pay NHI Premiums.[29][30][31]
December 2018 – On the evening of December 16, Prefectural Asm. Akihito Tarutani (44 years old, Independent=elected by Akashi City) was arrestedin flagrante delicto by the Akashi Police Station on suspicion of bodily harm, alleging that he hit his wife in the face at home. In January 2019, the prefectural police sent the files on Tarutani. In February 7, the Akashi branch of the Kōbe District Public Prosecutors Office decided not to indict Tarutani. Tarutani had been doing things such as failing to pay his National Health Insurance Premiums, so in December 2018, the prefectural assembly unanimously resolved advice to resign. Tarutani decided not to resign.[32]
^ abcd"県議会議員の概要" [Outline of Assembly Members] (in Japanese). Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"県議会まめ知識" [Assembly Trivia] (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"兵庫県議選得票率 自民と民主は減、維新１０％超に" [Hyogo Prefectural Election Vote Percentages: LDP and DPJ down, Innovation exceeds 10%] (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. April 14, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"兵庫県議選各党派分析 民主５減、公明と共産は維持" [Analysis of Hyogo Prefectural Election Party Results: DPJ down 5, Komeito and Communists steady] (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. April 13, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"兵庫県議選 歯止めかからぬ投票率低下 １０選挙区は上昇" [Hyogo Assembly Election: Brakes not stopping reduction in turnout – increase in 10 districts]. Kobe Shimbun. April 13, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"兵庫県議会・正副議長 自民が独占維持 ４会派共闘もとどかず" [LDP retain Hyogo Assembly chair and deputy, 4-party united challenge unsuccessful] (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. June 12, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^"議員紹介/会派別一覧表" [List of Assembly Members by Party] (in Japanese). Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ abcd"政務費460万円返還を請求へ 兵庫県議会" [Demands for return of 4.6 million yen in political expenses, Hyōgo Prefectural Assembly] (in Japanese). The Nikkei. October 11, 2014. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
^"〝号泣県議〟続報「議員特権にあぐら」トイレ修理、ＰＴＡ祝儀…まだまだ出てくる不自然な〝政治とカネ〟" [“Crying Prefectural Asm.” follow-up report: "Resting on their assembly member privileges", toilet repairs, PTA celebrations…The unnatural “politics and dough” that are still coming out] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. November 13, 2014. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
^"８県議への返還請求棄却 県監査委員、政活費支出「内規通り」" [Demand for return to 8 prefectural asm. dismissed: Prefectural audit committee members, Expenses and expenditures for PA "in accordance with the bylaws"] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
^"野々村県議が会見 支出の正当性強調 政務活動費問題" [Prefectural Asm. Nonomura interview, stresses legality of expenditures, expenses for political activities problem] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. July 1, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
^"野々村県議が辞職 虚偽公文書作成などで告発" [Prefectural Asm. Nonomura resigns; charged with making of false documents, etc.] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. July 11, 2014. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^ ab"野々村県議が辞職 兵庫県議会、虚偽公文書作成容疑で告発" [Prefectural Asm. Nonomura resigns; Hyōgo Prefectural Assembly charged on suspicion of making of false documents] (in Japanese). The Nikkei. July 11, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
^"兵庫県議会、政務費１８３４万円の返還確認 利息分９０万円も請求へ" [Hyōgo Prefectural Assembly confirms return of 18.34 million yen in political expenses and also demands for interest amount of 900,000 yen] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on October 1, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^"野々村氏、約８９万円を返還 政務費の利息分を一括振り込み" [Mr. Nonomura returns approximately 890,000 yen and transfers interest amount in political expenses in lump sum] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. August 11, 2014. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^"号泣…野々村元県議、任意の調べにカラ出張認める 兵庫県警" [Crying…Former Prefectural Asm. Nonomura confesses to fabricated business trips in voluntary investigation – HPP] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. September 18, 2014. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^"政務活動費「金券買い使った」 野々村元県議" ["I bought and used cash vouchers" with expenses for political activities – Former Prefectural Asm. Nonomura] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. September 27, 2014. Archived from the original on April 9, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^"カード明細切り貼り偽装か 兵庫県警、事情聴取へ" [Did you disguise it by cutting and pasting your card statement? HPP to voluntary questioning] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. September 2, 2014. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
^""号泣県議"を書類送検 兵庫県警 野々村元県議、容疑認める" [Sent files on “Crying Prefectural Asm.” HPP: Former Prefectural Asm. Nonomura confesses to suspicions] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. January 19, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
^"野々村前県議:書類送検 起訴求める「厳重処分」意見付き" [Ex-Prefectural Asm. Nonomura: Files sent to prosecutors attaching opinion "Severe punishment" seeking indictment] (in Japanese). Mainichi Shimbun. January 19, 2015. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
^"〝号泣〟野々村元県議を在宅起訴" [Indicted Former Prefectural Asm. “Crying” Nonomura without arrest] (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. August 18, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
^"野々村元県議に懲役３年執行猶予４年の判決 政活費詐取" [Prison with hard labour of 3 years and suspended sentence of 4 years judgement for Former Prefectural Asm. Nonomura: Expenses for political activities swindle] (in Japanese). The Asahi Shimbun. July 6, 2016. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
^"ドラマ「ドクターX」で「その一心…だぁぁぁぁ～」と号泣議員の号泣会見を再現" [Reenacting the Crying Asm.’s crying conference with "My heart…is set on iiiit!" in "Doctor-X"] (in Japanese). livedoor NEWS. November 1, 2011. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
^"アニメ『銀魂』で野々村元県議の号泣会見パロディ 『niconico』には当然のようにMAD動画が……" [Parody of Former Prefectural Asm. Nonomura’s crying conference in anime "Gintama", and as a matter of course, a MAD video……on "niconico"] (in Japanese). Gadget News. April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
^"【号泣会見】野々村竜太郎議員が完全にネタにされていることが判明！ YouTubeやニコニコ動画でおもちゃにされてるぞ" [[Crying Conference] It turns out Asm. Ryūtarō Nonomura has been completely turned into a joke! He’s been turned into a plaything on YouTube and niconico Videos, I’m telling you.] (in Japanese). RocketNews24. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
^"『ネット流行語大賞2014』発表！ 金賞は「STAP細胞はありまぁす」銀賞には「この日本ンフンフンッハアアアアアアアアアアァン! ……ウッ……ガエダイ!」" ["Internet Buzzwords Grand Prize 2014" announced! Gold Award is 'There really are STAP cells', and for Silver Award, 'This Japan NNF NNF N-HAAAAAAAAAAAN!……I VANT TO JANGE…UGH……!'] (in Japanese). Gadget News. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
^ abc"兵庫県議２４人 政活費計４９２万円の不適切支出" [24 Hyōgo Prefectural Assemblymembers.: Inappropriate expenditure of total expenses for political activities of 4.92 million yen] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. October 11, 2014. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
^"「あってはならない行い」 税滞納の樽谷県議が謝罪" ["An action that should not be" Prefectural Asm. Tarutani, taxes in arrears, apologizes] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
^"税金滞納の兵庫県議は樽谷氏 過去にも国保料滞納" [Mr. Tarutani, Hyōgo Prefectural Asm. in tax arrears, failed to pay NHI Premiums in the past] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. November 9, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2020.[dead link]
^"【うわわあぁーん！】 税金滞納の兵庫県議は樽谷氏 過去にも国保料滞納 2018/11/09" [[Uwawaaaan!] Mr. Tarutani, Hyōgo Prefectural Asm. in tax arrears, failed to pay NHI Premiums in the past] (in Japanese). 5channel. November 9, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
^"妻暴行で逮捕の樽谷県議、辞職勧告に応じず 統一選立候補は見送る意向" [Prefectural Asm. Tarutani, arrested for wife beating, not complying with advice to resign and intends to pass on unified election candidacy] (in Japanese). Kōbe Shimbun NEXT. February 8, 2019. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
