Hyogo Governor Saito said， “To be honest， it has been difficult all this time，” and his future plan has “become pretty firm．”

Hyogo Prefecture Governor Motohiko Saito (46) told reporters on the morning of the 24th, “I was thinking about my future during the three-day weekend. “I still want to push ahead with reforms,” ​​he said. This was his first time reporting to work since the prefectural assembly passed a motion of no confidence in the governor at its plenary session on the 19th, and he responded to interviews. The motion of no confidence against Saito passed unanimously. Saito has until the 29th to choose between resigning and losing his job or dissolving the parliament. He did not report to the prefectural office on Friday the 20th, and had no official duties scheduled for the three-day holiday starting on the 21st, but he made a number of appearances on NHK and private television programs. He was touting his own administrative and financial reforms. He was not scheduled to go to work on the 24th, but he went to work due to the heavy rains in Ishikawa Prefecture’s Noto Peninsula. Regarding his state of mind during this time, Saito said, “People say I have a ’mentality of steel,’ but to be honest, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in pain. There were times when I felt really heavy inside every day.” He added, “Although it was difficult, I have come to this office with the intention of completing my four-year term in order to thoroughly reform the prefectural government and move it forward. Our future response plans have been solidified to a large extent, but we will continue to give it careful consideration.” [Takahide Nakao, Asami Yamada]
Mainichi Shimbun 2024/9/24 11:01 (last updated 9/24 11:01).

兵庫・斎藤知事「正直ずっと苦しかった」　進退は「だいぶ固まった」 | 毎日新聞

兵庫県の斎藤元彦知事（46）は24日午前、報道陣に、進退について「3連休の間、思い悩みながら考えていた。改革を進めたいという思いは今もある」と述べた。19日の県議会本会議で、知事への不信任決議が可決してから初めて登庁し、取材に応じた。

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