Farmers And Cow Breeders Are Not Smart, Governors In Japan Resign

Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Heita Kawakatsu

JAKARTA - Shizuoka Prefectural Governor Heita Kawakatsu submitted her resignation after being heavily criticized for her comments against farmers and vegetable sellers.

Reporting from Japan Today, Heita Kawakatsu will automatically vacate her post 30 days after the submission and election for governor will be held. The election is likely to start May 9 for the vote on May 26.

This 75-year-old man was criticized after speaking to a new government employee of prefecture on April 1 that they were intelligent people.

"Unlike those who sell vegetables, raise cows, and make something," he said at the time.

Following public criticism, Kawakatsu stated the next day that he would resign when the prefectural assembly met in June, but he later decided to speed up the process. He also withdrew his comments on Friday and apologized.

Kawakatsu, a former professor at Waseda University who served as Chancellor of Shizuoka Art and Culture University, first served in 2009 and entered his fourth term.

He has long opposed Central Japan Railway Co's high-speed maglev rail project linking Tokyo and Osaka through northern Shizuoka Prefecture, citing concerns over its environmental impact.

His opposition led JR Central to announce last month that they would delay the launch of the train from 2027 to 2034 or more, a factor that Kawakatsu mentioned as one of the reasons for his resignation, along with his statement.