Yohei Hattori, the Deputy Governor of Hyogo Prefecture, is confirmed to resign at the end of his term in March, as reported by local officials. His tenure as the sole deputy governor began after former Deputy Governor Yasutaka Katayama resigned in July 2024, following repercussions from internal whistleblower allegations affecting key officials in the prefecture, including Governor Motohiko Saito.

Since taking over in 2022, Hattori has navigated a challenging political landscape, managing responses related to the whistleblower issue and coordinating with the prefectural assembly on a salary reduction plan proposed by Governor Saito in light of information leak concerns. His long-standing career with the prefecture, starting in 1986, includes various roles in civil service and his involvement in critical infrastructure development, which adds to the significance of his upcoming departure on the governance of Hyogo Prefecture.

Governor Saito has indicated plans to appoint two new deputy governors, Toyoshi Morimoto, head of planning, and Shinichi Morimoto, head of the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries department. This change requires the approval of the prefectural assembly, which will be submitted during the ongoing regular session. The situational dynamics around the appointment of deputy governors and the implications for regional governance are still under contemplation by Saito, who has previously refrained from detailing specific strategies for future personnel changes.