兵庫ひょうご県けん文書ぶんしょ問題もんだい 第三者だいさんしゃ委いが結果けっか公表こうひょう “公用こうようPCデータ漏ろうえい”

Regarding the data, believed to be from the official computer of the former bureau chief who drafted the accusation document against Governor Saito of Hyogo Prefecture, being published on the internet, the prefecture’s third-party committee announced on the 13th the results of their investigation, stating that “it is recognized as identical to the information held by the prefecture.” The prefecture, considering this a case of information leakage, has filed a complaint with the police on suspicion of violating the Local Public Service Act.

In the issue surrounding the accusation documents from Hyogo Prefecture, last year, Takashi Tachibana, the representative of a political group, and others published data on the internet that was believed to be from the former bureau chiefs official computer, who created the documents.

The third-party committee of Hyogo Prefecture, which had been investigating this matter, held a press conference at the prefectural office on the 13th and announced the results.

According to the report, it points out that the released data is recognized as being identical to the information held by the prefecture, and since there is no evidence that the data was obtained by an external intrusion into the prefectures network, it is considered extremely likely that the information was leaked by a prefectural employee.

Furthermore, regarding the purpose of the leak, it was pointed out that, Even if the intent was to point out the former director-generals inappropriate use of an official computer or violation of duty to devote himself to work, or to fulfill the publics right to know, there is room to consider that there may have also been the purpose of undermining the former director-generals credibility.

On top of that, regarding whether the information leak constitutes a whistleblowing act in the public interest, it was determined that it does not qualify as a whistleblowing act in the public interest, since a violation of the duty to devote oneself to ones duties is not considered a criminal offense.

On the other hand, the third-party committee also investigated the audio data of the then deputy governor interviewing the former bureau chief, which was published in the online edition of Shukan Bunshun, and concluded that it could be recognized as identical to the information held by the prefecture.

Based on the investigation results, the prefecture submitted a criminal complaint to the police on the 13th, on suspicion of violation of the confidentiality obligation under the Local Public Service Act due to information leakage, although the suspect remains unidentified.

In this series of issues, a separate third-party committee is also investigating the suspicion that the former General Affairs Director leaked the former Bureau Chief’s private information to a prefectural assembly member, and the prefecture plans to announce the results in the future.

Hyogo Prefecture Legal Documents Division Chief Mitsuru Yamaguchi, who attended the press conference with members of the third-party committee, said, It is very disappointing that it was pointed out there is a high possibility the leak was caused by a staff member.

It is a natural duty for public officials to keep confidential any secrets they learn in the course of their duties, so certain measures must be taken.

We will monitor the polices judgment, and if asked for cooperation, we will cooperate, he said.

On the other hand, regarding the investigation into the audio data and other materials published in the digital edition of “Shukan Bunshun,” and the fact that they reported it to the police as an information leak, he stated, “It is not at all intended to ‘undermine the freedom of the press’ or ‘apply pressure’; rather, the prefecture simply believes it cannot overlook the leaking of confidential information.”