Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto Sexual Harassment Report Reveals 1,000 Messages

"Take it to your grave." This chilling command was found in one of the 1,000 sexually harassing messages sent by Tatsuji Sugimoto, the former governor of Fukui Prefecture. An investigative report released on January 7, 2026, paints a disturbing picture of power abuse and harassment that allegedly spanned 20 years, starting long before he took the governor's office.

Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto Sexual Harassment Investigation Details

The investigation, led by three lawyers, was triggered by a whistleblower in April of the previous year. After surveying 6,000 employees, the team confirmed that Sugimoto, age 63, targeted at least four female staff members with predatory texts. Messages included phrases like "I want to kiss you" and "I have an irresistible urge to hug you," sent via the Line app and private email.

Beyond digital harassment, the report detailed multiple instances of physical assault. It alleged that Sugimoto touched female staff members' buttocks and thighs during social events. While Sugimoto admitted to sending the texts—claiming he was "drunk" or had "affection" for the victims—he flatly denied the allegations of groping, stating he had "absolutely no recollection" of such acts.

A Two-Decade Legacy of Systemic Failure

What makes the case particularly egregious is the timeline. Kenji Kawai, one of the lead investigators, revealed that the harassment began as early as 2004 when Sugimoto was the head of the general affairs department. He continued this behavior through his tenure as vice governor in 2013 and after his election as governor in 2019.

The report didn't stop at the governor; it also blasted senior officials for their "inappropriate responses" to the whistleblower. It's clear that the internal culture failed to protect employees. Sugimoto resigned in December 2025 but waited until this report's release to offer a formal apology, though he still refuses to hold a public press conference.