Tokyo Governoress Koike Questions Leadership of Former Governor Ishihara

The newly elected governoress of Tokyo Yuriko Koike said in her regular meet-the-press on October 14 that the former governor Shintaro Ishihara doesn't quite live up to his repute as a writer/politician in his position as the then leader of the metropolis over the ongoing dispute over the new fish market in Toyosu.

Commenting on the written response received from the former governor Ishihara in response to her earlier inquiry, Governoress Koike said:

"A  full scrutiny of the response in question reveals simply that "he  neither has any knowledge of it, recall, remember, nor understand any of it".

(Asked if she contemplates repeating inquiry) "I'll further countercheck the last QAs and decide (whether to send another inquiry). He says he basically has no recollection of the details and left the matter in the hands of administrative officers.

"What is being questioned is the way of leadership. Our inquiry must have refreshed his memory, and, if necessary, we may have to ask him on matters we have to have his views on."

(Asked how she feels about the former governor Ishihara's responsibility) "Well, unless he tells about things that are inconvenient to him we can't arrive at an accurate answer to the problem.

"I do wish he take care not to bring to naught his repute as a writer and the governor of  Tokyo Metropolitan."

The somewhat thorny tone of her reaction to the attitude of the former governor Ishihara roots in his sassy remarks during the election campaign a month before on her "heavy complexion" and being an "over-middle woman".

Meanwhile, Governoress Koike virtually fired the current director of the fish market on her way to taking punitive measures to parties responsible to the present confusion over the relocation of the fish market.