Tatsuharu Sugimoto, the former governor of Fukui Prefecture in Japan, resigned after acknowledging multiple instances of sexual harassment towards county employees. It has come to light that he intends to return 10 million yen of his retirement allowance, which totals approximately 60 million yen. This decision was reported during the prefectural assembly's full council meeting by Deputy Governor Yoshihiro Nakamura. The assembly plans to discuss whether to accept this return in their February regular session.

The Fukui Prefectural Personnel Department confirmed that Sugimoto was awarded a retirement allowance of 61.62 million yen as of December 26. However, a special investigation into the sexual harassment, which was conducted by lawyers, incurred costs of around 9 million yen, prompting assembly members to demand a return of funds from Sugimoto. Subsequent to this, on January 28, the prefectural government sent a request to Sugimoto's legal representative, urging a voluntary return of part of his retirement pay on moral grounds.

Though Sugimoto has stated that he believes the payment is justified based on legal provisions corresponding to his time in office, he has acknowledged the disruption and suffering caused to victims and employees. In light of the financial burden of the investigations, he offered to return 10 million yen, underscoring his concern for the county's administrative integrity and the impact of his actions on others.