Legislative Activities Also Non-Face-to-Face? Controversy Over Japanese Lawmaker Receiving Salary Without Attending National Diet

Ex-Expos? YouTuber Representative Higashitani
Resides in Dubai, Does Not Attend Parliament
Receives 150 Million Won in Salary and Allowances

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] It has been reported that there is a member of the Japanese Diet who has never attended the National Diet since becoming a proportional representation member of the House of Councillors in July last year, yet has been receiving a salary, sparking controversy. The lawmaker reportedly stayed abroad after being elected and did not attend the Diet, but received about 16 million yen (approximately 150 million KRW) in salary and allowances until the end of last month.

On the 21st, Mainichi Shimbun reported that the disciplinary committee held over the absence controversy of House of Councillors member Higashitani Yoshikazu of the NHK Party unanimously decided on a "public apology in the assembly hall." This means appearing in the Diet in person and apologizing publicly. It is the second highest level of disciplinary action after a reprimand in Japan's parliamentary disciplinary system. If the problem is not corrected even after the public apology, the member can be banned from attending the Diet, and further, a request for expulsion can be made. If more than two-thirds of all members agree, the member can be expelled.

Since becoming a proportional representation member in July last year, Higashitani has not appeared even at the appointment ceremony and has never attended the Diet since. Although a summons to the House of Councillors was issued on the 30th of last month, he again did not attend and was referred to the disciplinary committee. Disciplinary Committee Chair Suzuki Muneo stated, "If he refuses this disciplinary action as well, we plan to pass a resolution for the highest punishment, expulsion."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, despite never attending the Diet, he has been receiving a monthly salary of 1,294,000 yen (12.48 million KRW), a research allowance of 1,000,000 yen (9.64 million KRW) for parliamentary activities, and an allowance of 1,880,000 yen (18.1 million KRW), totaling about 16 million yen (150 million KRW) paid since his election until the end of January.

Originally a YouTuber, he has been controversial since becoming a member of the House of Councillors by sensationally exposing celebrities' private lives, including sexual scandals. Although he had over one million YouTube subscribers, his channel was deleted for violating community guidelines, and he is currently facing multiple lawsuits including fraud and defamation. The NHK Party he belongs to was founded by former employees of Japan's public broadcaster NHK and centers on movements such as refusing to pay broadcasting fees.

Representative Yoshikazu Higashitani. (Photo by Representative Higashitani Instagram)

Higashitani is reportedly not even living in Japan. He is residing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing threats to his life if he stays in Japan. During the election campaign, he did not appear on the streets but conducted campaigning by playing recorded voice messages from a vehicle, and expressed his gratitude for winning via YouTube, thanking viewers and followers. He claims that remote political activities from the UAE pose no problem.

Such a case is unprecedented in Japan, so the controversy continues. It is rare for a House of Councillors member to be disciplined. Higashitani is the second member to be disciplined since the Diet's establishment, following Antonio Inoki of the Japan Innovation Party, who was suspended from attending for 30 days in 2013 after visiting North Korea without permission.

Public outrage is growing over the question, "Is it acceptable to receive a salary without attending the Diet?" but the media expects that disciplinary action against him will not be easy. Asahi Shimbun analyzed, "Expulsion requires a resolution by more than two-thirds of attending members, and unlike disciplinary actions, there is a cautious atmosphere regarding expulsion. It is also difficult to draw a clear line that his overseas residence and activities on YouTube do not constitute political activities."

It also mentioned that, like in South Korea, Japanese Diet members have immunity privileges such as protection from arrest, so unless expelled, it is difficult to proceed with judicial processing.

Higashitani still maintains that there is no problem. According to local media, he told reporters who contacted him, "If you want me to quit being a member, please do so," and warned, "If the disciplinary committee expels me, then members of the Liberal Democratic Party or other parties will also be expelled. Aren't there many members who do not properly attend the Diet besides me?" signaling a counterattack.