兵庫ひょうご県けん 斎藤さいとう知事ちじとPR会社かいしゃ代表だいひょうの捜査そうさ結果けっか書類しょるいを検察けんさつに送付そうふ

Regarding the use of social media in the Hyogo gubernatorial election, it has been learned from interviews with investigators that on the 20th, the police sent documents summarizing the results of their investigation to the prosecutors office concerning the accusation against the re-elected Governor Saito and the head of a PR company in Hyogo Prefecture, who are suspected of violating the Public Offices Election Act.

The prosecution is expected to carefully determine whether or not there is criminal responsibility.

Regarding the SNS operations and other activities of Governor Saito’s camp, who was re-elected in the Hyogo gubernatorial election, lawyers and others submitted a criminal complaint to the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office and the Hyogo Prefectural Police last December, alleging a possible violation of the Public Offices Election Act. The accusation claims that the governor paid compensation to the Nishinomiya-based PR company “merchu” as a reward for online election campaigning.

The prosecution and the police have been conducting investigations by searching several related locations, including PR companies, and interviewing those involved since February of this year.

And on the 20th, it was learned from interviews with investigators that the police had sent documents summarizing the results of their investigation on Governor Saito and the president of the PR company in their 30s to the prosecutors office.

Based on the results of the police investigation, the prosecution is expected to carefully determine whether or not there is criminal responsibility.

Regarding payments to the PR company, Governor Saito’s side has so far stated that they were for legally permitted activities such as poster production. They have also expressed the view that “SNS operations were mainly carried out by the Saito office and others, and the representative was a volunteer,” and that there was no conduct that would constitute an election violation.

On the other hand, although we have requested interviews with the head of the PR company, we have not received any response so far.

Saito Governors side held a press conference on November 27th last year through the governors attorney, in response to concerns raised with the Hyogo Prefectural Election Administration Commission by people who saw the PR companys article, questioning whether it was illegal.

In this matter, we have never asked a PR company for an SNS strategy or entrusted them with overall public relations, and there are parts of the article that are not factual.

I dont think its true at all, especially the part about being put in charge of all public relations.

He explained, I recognize it as exaggerating.

On top of that, the representatives of the PR company agreed with Mr. Saitos ideas and supported him by obtaining official supporter accounts, filming and uploading videos at street rally venues, and other promotional activities.

It was done not as part of PR company activities but as a volunteer, and there was neither any payment made nor any promise of payment, he said, expressing the view that this does not violate the Public Offices Election Act or any other laws.

In addition, Governor Saito stated that he paid approximately 700,000 yen to the PR company for expenses such as poster production, which are permitted by law, and expressed the view that there was no illegality, saying, The management of social media was mainly carried out by myself or the Saito office.

The month after the press conference held by the attorney representing the parties, university professors and others submitted a criminal complaint against the governor and the head of the PR company to the Kobe District Public Prosecutors Office and the Hyogo Prefectural Police. However, Governor Saito continued to tell reporters that he was not aware of having violated any laws, among other statements.

Governor Saito: No change in my understanding that we are responding legally. On the afternoon of the 20th, Governor Saito told reporters at the prefectural office, I am not yet aware of the details.

There is no change in my understanding that we have responded lawfully regarding the election, including compliance with the Public Offices Election Act.

I would like to refrain from commenting on how we have responded to the investigation, but if we are asked to cooperate with the investigation in the future, we would like to fully cooperate.