新潟にいがた 上越じょうえつ市長しちょう 兵庫ひょうご 三田みた市しのコメ「まずい」と発言はつげん 三田みた市し抗議こうぎ

It has been revealed that this month, Kanta Nakagawa, the mayor of Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture, made comments such as its bad about the rice from Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, where his alma mater is located.

Joetsu City is considering how to respond after receiving a letter of protest from Sanda City demanding an apology and other actions.

According to Joetsu City, at a hometown tax donation ceremony held at city hall on the 1st of this month, Mayor Nakagawa mentioned that Sanda City in Hyogo Prefecture, where his alma mater is located, is a rice-producing area for sake, and made a remark to the effect that the rice for eating doesnt taste good.

It is also reported that, during a special class for vocational school students held in the city on the 3rd of this month, a comment was made suggesting that the rice from Sanda City is not very tasty.

In response to these remarks, on the 7th, Katsuya Tamura, the mayor of Sanda City, sent a letter of protest stating, As the head of a municipality, it is extremely selfish to make comments that unfairly disparage Sanda rice, which our region is proud of, and such remarks insult the daily efforts and feelings of farmers and others. It is said that he is demanding an official apology from Mayor Nakagawa in a formal setting.

Mayor Nakagawa said, I sincerely and deeply apologize for causing great trouble and discomfort to Sanda City and its citizens.

We will respond to the protest sincerely, they commented.

Mayor: I wanted to say that the rice from Joetsu City is delicious. I sincerely apologize. In response to NHKs interview, Mayor Nakagawa said, What I wanted to say was that the rice from Joetsu City is delicious.

I believe I must sincerely apologize for causing trouble and discomfort to the people of Sanda City and its residents, he said.

Also, regarding rice from Sanda City, I havent eaten it at all recently.

I ate it more than 30 years ago, he said.

They said they will clarify whether or not they will retract the statement and how they will respond going forward at a press conference to be held at city hall on the afternoon of the 9th.