Akita Apologises After Official Smokes in Bathrobe at 2 Trillion Yen AI Briefing
Akita Prefecture has apologised after a male section-chief-level official in the Industry and Labour Department was seen smoking in a bathrobe during an online press briefing for an AI data centre investment project worth about 2 trillion yen. The official said he had returned from Tokyo on the morning of August 6, was on afternoon leave at home and, feeling unwell, unconsciously smoked while wearing loungewear. However, the footage background appeared to resemble love hotel wallpaper, prompting doubt over his account. The prefecture re-questioned him on August 8; Deputy Director Tsujita Toyohide said fact-finding was ongoing and details could not be disclosed.
Akita Prefecture announced on August 10 that a male official at section-chief level serving as Business Attraction Promotion Supervisor in the Industry and Labour Department had been seen smoking in a bathrobe during an online press response, and the prefecture has apologised. In the footage, the official appeared in a bathrobe while smoking, drawing public attention.
The official explained that he had returned from a business trip to Tokyo on the morning of August 6, was on afternoon leave at home and, feeling unwell, was wearing loungewear when he unconsciously smoked a cigarette. However, the background of the online footage appeared to resemble wallpaper typical of a love hotel room, prompting the prefecture to question his account of being at home.
On August 8, the prefecture questioned the official again. Deputy Director Tsujita Toyohide said fact-finding was still under way and specific details could not be disclosed at this stage.