MIYAGI, Jul 17 (News On Japan) - A lawmaker in Ōkawara Town, Miyagi Prefecture, has come under fire after an elementary school student's essay revealed that he was playing a smartphone game during an assembly session.
Takahisa Satō, 73, apologized, saying, "I deeply regret disappointing the elementary students and causing trouble not only to them but also to the assembly and townspeople."
The incident came to light after five sixth-grade students, who had visited the assembly on a field trip last month, wrote about seeing a lawmaker playing a game on his smartphone. Their essays were submitted to the school, which then reported the matter.
"I sincerely apologize for causing great inconvenience to everyone. It is true that I played a game in the assembly hall," Satō said. "However, I do not recall playing a game during that particular session. Nonetheless, I acknowledge the students' claims and accept that it happened."
Satō added that he was likely just looking at his phone screen, but acknowledged that this behavior still violated assembly protocols. During a general assembly meeting, there were calls for stricter measures, and some members proposed a resolution urging Satō to resign from his position.
