AKITA – A town assembly in Akita Prefecture passed a no-confidence motion on Friday against its mayor, who has been unconscious for months following a brain hemorrhage.
The passage means that the 72-year-old mayor of Hachirogata, Kikuo Hatakeyama, will automatically lose his position on May 19 under the local autonomy law. A mayoral election to choose his successor is expected to be held within 50 days.
The motion said that removing Hatakeyama is a tough but necessary choice to prevent town administration from being stalled.
It is rare in the country for a no-confidence motion to be filed against a mayor due to illness, according to the National Association of Chairpersons of Town and Village Assemblies.
Hatakeyama has been unconscious since February when he underwent emergency surgery after complaining of ill health while on duty.
His wife asked the town assembly last month to determine his fate at its own discretion, saying that it would be the best option for him to resign as mayor.
The local autonomy law requires mayors who want to resign to notify the assembly chair of their intention. The town government last month said that a resignation request submitted by family members would be invalid. As a result, the town assembly decided to submit a no-confidence motion as the quickest way for the mayor to quit.