Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito have called for the resignation of Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office head Hiromu Kurokawa after he was accused of illegally playing mahjong for money during the nation’s state of emergency.
According to a report by Shukan Bunshun, Kurokawa visited the home of a reporter from the Sankei Shimbun on 1 May where they and others played and bet on mahjong. An employee of another major Japanese daily newspaper, the Asahi Shimbun, was also in attendance, the report alleges.
In response, Noritoshi Ishida, policy head of Komeito, stated this week, “If (the report) is true, he cannot continue his duties.”
Jiji Press also reported comments from an LDP member stating, “Kurokawa will have to quit shortly. It’s unforgivable for the person who is supposed to crack down on illegal gambling to play mahjong for money.”
