Visited Love Hotel with Married Employee..."It Was for Work, Not an Affair," Japanese Mayor Explains

"No romantic relationship, only work-related discussions," mayor explains
"Admits actions could cause misunderstanding, deeply reflecting"

A female local government head in Japan has sparked controversy after it was revealed that she visited love hotels with a married male employee more than 10 times. While the mayor has issued an apology, she insists that "there was no romantic relationship."

"It Is True I Went to a Love Hotel With a Married Employee, But..." Female Mayor Offers Bizarre Explanation

Mayor Akira Ogawa of Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Photo captured from X (formerly Twitter).

According to local media outlets such as Asahi TV and NHK on September 26, Akira Ogawa, the 42-year-old mayor of Maebashi City in Gunma Prefecture, held an emergency press conference on the night of September 24 and admitted, "It is true that I visited a hotel multiple times with a particular employee." When asked about the fact that the employee is married, she stated, "There was no romantic relationship," but also acknowledged, "It was a careless action that could cause misunderstanding. I am deeply reflecting on my behavior."

Mayor Ogawa explained, "I met at the hotel because it was a place where I could talk comfortably without worrying about being seen by others, and I received counseling about work and private matters." She also admitted that on some occasions, they used an official vehicle to reach the meeting location, but clarified that the hotel expenses were paid out of her own pocket. Regarding her future course of action, she added, "I will decide after discussions with a third party, including a lawyer."

They Visited Even on a Record-Breaking Heavy Rainfall Day

Previously, the Japanese weekly magazine News Post Seven reported that from July to September this year, Mayor Ogawa visited love hotels several times with a male subordinate. The subordinate was reported to be married. The media outlet stated that Mayor Ogawa, who is single, used the hotel with full knowledge that the other party was married. There were also days when, after leaving city hall in an official vehicle after work, the two switched to another car and headed to the hotel.

It was even reported that the two used a love hotel on September 10, when "record-breaking short-term heavy rainfall information" was issued for Gunma Prefecture, further fueling the controversy. In response, Mayor Ogawa explained, "No warning was issued at the time, and I was reachable, so I did not see it as a problem."

Mayor Ogawa, a former lawyer, is the first female mayor of Maebashi. She entered politics in 2011, served as a member of the Gunma Prefectural Assembly, and was elected mayor in February last year. Backed by opposition parties such as the Democratic Party, she ran as a candidate and drew attention by defeating the incumbent mayor, who was supported by the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito, in Gunma, which had long been considered a "conservative stronghold."