Governor Hase Hiroshi’s statement on the “Memory Album Strategy” blog regarding the Olympic bid is consistent with his statement about “200,000 yen per book at confidential expense”? : Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Ishikawa Prefecture Governor Hiroshi Hase said in a speech on the 17th that he used Cabinet Secretariat compensation funds (confidential funds) to give gifts to members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the bid for the Olympics. It turned out that his blog, “Hase Diary,” included a record of his efforts to bid for the Olympics, as well as a description of his “memory album strategy.”

Although he retracted his statement, what he wrote on his blog is true.

At a press conference held at the Ishikawa Prefectural Office on the 22nd, Governor Hase confirmed that the contents of the blog were true, and did not deny the relationship between the Olympic bid and the album.

What did the governor, who continues to avoid providing detailed explanations, answer and what questions did he not answer? (Digital Editorial Department)

◆”I can’t make direct efforts, but…”

In his speech on the 17th, Governor Hase said that he had created an album of all 105 IOC members, and revealed, “It’s using secret secret government funds.Each book costs 200,000 yen.” He is said to have been told by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, “Hachi, I’ll give you as much money as you want. There’s also confidential secret funds from the Cabinet.” The following day, on the 18th, he retracted this series of statements, citing “some factual errors.”

◆The content of the blog is “that’s it”

At a press conference held at the Ishikawa Prefectural Office on the 22nd, the blog’s “Memory Album Strategy” and the recently canceled “Make an album of all 105 IOC (International Olympic Committee) members, and that’s all they’ll bring as souvenirs.” ( (Omitted) He was asked about the relevance of his statement on the 17th, saying, “It’s because we’re using secret secret funds from the Cabinet. Each book costs 200,000 yen.”

Governor Hase reiterated at the press conference, “I will not answer questions regarding the Olympic bid.” More than 20 times, I dodged the question with these answers.

However, when asked if the contents of the blog were true, he simply answered, “That’s true.”

When asked if this “memory album” would not be a direct approach to the IOC members, who had said in his blog that they “couldn’t do it,” he replied, “I will not make any statements regarding the bid for the Olympics.” closed.

When asked if he thought a 200,000 yen souvenir was expensive, Governor Hase answered, “It depends on the recipient, but it’s not acceptable as a souvenir.”

◆Denies resignation, eager to participate in next gubernatorial election

The governor has two years and four months left in his term. He has no intention of resigning as governor, and at a press conference on the same day, he said, “I will run for the next gubernatorial election.”

When asked by a reporter, “As a politician, how do you think about your position and the weight of your words and actions?” “Since I have withdrawn my bid for the Olympics, I will never talk about it again.” I would like to once again apologize.”

Governor Hase said he was aware that he had “gave a sense of distrust.” However, when asked by a reporter later, “Does the Nagatacho rule, which says that if you retract a statement, it will be as if it never happened, not lead to distrust in politics?”, he answered with the usual phrase, “I will not make any statements regarding the Olympic bid.”