Toru Hashimoto

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hashimoto repeatedly argued that civilians should not be forced to fight and that the right to flee should be protected, while advocating a quicker search for a negotiated settlement. His interventions triggered a strong reaction online and in the media, with some interpreting them as an invitation to surrender or as underestimating Ukraine's right to defend itself.

State of the evidence

Public statements and controversy documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility

Under Hashimoto, Osaka withdrew municipal trade unions' use of offices inside City Hall, abolished certain arrangements for deducting union dues from salaries, and refused or restricted certain collective bargaining negotiations. Trade unions brought numerous challenges, and several labour commissions found that some measures constituted unfair labour practices.

State of the evidence

Municipal measures and series of legal disputes documented

Legal status — source text

Mixed judicial and administrative outcomes: several labour commission decisions found unfair labour practices, while the city ultimately prevailed in certain specific disputes.

Attribution

Direct political responsibility for the municipal administration's anti-union policy

In February 2012, Hashimoto ordered tens of thousands of municipal employees to complete an identifiable questionnaire asking, among other things, about trade union membership, participation in political support activities and the identity of those who had invited them to participate, warning that an inaccurate answer could lead to disciplinary action. Trade unions and lawyers' groups challenged the questionnaire.

State of the evidence

Mandatory questionnaire documented; administrative and judicial decisions adverse to the city

Legal status — source text

The Central Labour Relations Commission confirmed in 2014 that the conduct constituted an unfair labour practice; a 2015 civil judgment also found certain questions unlawful.

Attribution

Direct political responsibility as the Mayor who ordered the survey

Following an incident involving a tattooed employee, Osaka surveyed approximately 33,000 employees by name about whether they had visible tattoos and where they were located. Six people who refused to respond received disciplinary reprimands. The measure was criticised as disproportionate and an invasion of privacy.

State of the evidence

Survey of approximately 33,000 employees and sanctions documented

Legal status — source text

Sanctions were challenged in court; at least one reprimand for refusal was overturned.

Attribution

Direct political responsibility as the Mayor who initiated the survey

Frustrated by the deadlock over the Osaka metropolis plan, Hashimoto resigned as Mayor to trigger a new election and seek a mandate to reopen discussions. The main parties refused to field serious candidates, denouncing an unnecessary election funded by taxpayers. Hashimoto was re-elected on exceptionally low turnout.

State of the evidence

Resignation, election and low turnout documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct political responsibility

Hashimoto and his movement promoted an ordinance requiring Osaka public school teachers to stand during the national anthem, Kimigayo, with tougher disciplinary measures for repeated refusal. In 2012, he also supported a headteacher checking whether teachers opened their mouths to verify that they were singing.

State of the evidence

Ordinance and disciplinary policy documented

Legal status — source text

Multiple administrative disputes; no personal criminal conviction

Attribution

Direct political responsibility as Governor, then Mayor, and leader of Osaka Ishin

As Mayor of Osaka, Hashimoto stated that the wartime military brothel system had been "necessary" to maintain soldiers' discipline. His remarks drew widespread condemnation in Japan and abroad, particularly in the United States and South Korea, and seriously damaged his party's image.

State of the evidence

Statements and international condemnation documented

Legal status — source text

No criminal proceedings; separate professional disciplinary complaints filed against him

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility

During the same period, but in a separate exchange, Hashimoto recounted suggesting to a US commander that Marines stationed in Okinawa make greater use of the legal sex industry to reduce sexual assaults. US authorities rejected the proposal, and the remark triggered another wave of criticism in Japan and abroad.

State of the evidence

Statement, US rejection and retraction documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility

After the official start of the December 2012 general election campaign, Hashimoto, then leader of the Japan Restoration Party, continued posting extensively on Twitter, although Japanese electoral rules at the time largely prohibited internet campaigning. This prompted debate over a possible breach of electoral law.

State of the evidence

Posts and legal controversy documented

Legal status — source text

The government declined to classify his posts personally as unlawful; no conviction identified.

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility for the posts

While working as a lawyer and television personality, Hashimoto urged viewers to file disciplinary complaints against twenty-one defence lawyers in the Hikari murder case, whom he accused of adopting an unacceptable defence strategy. Thousands of complaints followed. The Osaka Bar Association suspended him for two months, and the lawyers concerned brought civil proceedings.

State of the evidence

Public appeal, disciplinary proceedings and civil litigation documented

Legal status — source text

Two-month professional suspension by the Bar Association; the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that his call, although ill-considered and inappropriately worded, did not constitute an actionable civil wrong.

Attribution

Direct personal responsibility