While enticing, the nightlife of Tokyo had caused a lawmaker of the ruling party to step down from his position. (Image via The Jakarta Post)

LDP lawmaker resigns after nightlife club visit

On Wednesday, a lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) resigned after a report emerged that he had visited a nightlife venue in Tokyo, despite the request from the Japanese Government to refrain from making unessential visits during the state of emergency against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Speaking at a press conference, the member of Japan's Lower House, Takaki Shirasuka (45), apologized for his visit to an exclusive lounge until late at night. On 10 February, Shirasuka with a woman visited a French restaurant in Akasaka, Tokyo. According to the chronology provided by the weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, the two dined for two hours. Then, Shirasuka went to a lounge in the Azabujuban district and stayed for another two hours.

Previously, three lawmakers also left the LDP on 1 February due to their visits to two hostess bars in Ginza on 18 January with the one being Jun Matsumoto, the once Acting Chairman of the LDP's Diet Affairs Committee. Not only Matsumoto but also the Acting Secretary-General of Komeito, the partner of LDP, Kiyohiko Toyama, also resigned due to the visit to a hostess bar in Ginza on 22 January. The incident sparked public outrage.

Shirasuka himself stated that he will not run for the next House of Representatives in October. Before resigning, Shirasuka was a third-term member of the Lower House as the representation of Chiba Prefecture. He once also served as the Parliamentary Vice Education Minister.

When the Japanese Government announced the second state of emergency in January for Tokyo and some prefectures, people are urged to refrain from going out unless necessary, and restaurants and bars are asked to cut their business hours by 8 p.m. Moreover, the state of emergency was extended to 7 March, from previously 7 February.

Reportedly, Shukan Bunshun is ready to begin another episode of roasting of the administration of the current Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga, especially the way he and his party is handling the raging pandemic.

Source: https://bit.ly/3bjAmkz