Overview

• Kanagawa Prefectural Police detained Hajime Higuchi, 58, on September 3 on suspicion of accepting ¥200,000 in gift certificates for administrative favors.
• Investigators say the vouchers were handed over in the environment chief’s office by a construction firm’s sales manager in August 2024 and February 2025.
• The alleged favors include urging the waterworks bureau to accelerate sewer construction for the firm’s housing project and pressing for relocation of a nearby garbage collection point.
• Police searched Odawara City Hall and are investigating the company’s former president and the sales manager on suspected bribery while interviewing multiple municipal employees.
• Higuchi has led the environment department since July 2024 and served on the city’s Compliance Promotion Committee, as Mayor Kenichi Kato apologized publicly and vowed stricter discipline.