In response to the sexual harassment allegations against former Fukui Governor Tatsuji Sugimoto, the Fukui Prefectural Assembly unanimously approved on the 18th a revision to the ordinance that allows for the limitation or demand for the return of retirement pay for governors and other special positions who resign due to misconduct. This new regulation is noted as the first of its kind at the prefectural level in Japan. Previously, the ordinance allowed for the restriction of retirement pay only when a prison sentence of more than six months was confirmed, which meant that Sugimoto was entitled to receive the full retirement payment of 61.62 million yen, sparking outrage from the public and local assembly members.

Following the scandal, Sugimoto met with current Governor Takuto Ishida to apologize and expressed his intention to voluntarily return 15 million yen of his retirement pay. However, the prefectural government indicated that further requests for return were challenging without a legal basis. The newly revised ordinance stipulates that while an investigation by a third-party committee is ongoing, payment of retirement allowances will be temporarily suspended. If the investigation concludes that punitive dismissal or suspension is warranted, and subsequent approval by the assembly is obtained, payments can be limited, including mandates for return of any already disbursed funds within five years of leaving office.