Japanese Senior Official Invited Lover on Business Trips, Paid Only Single Room Rate
Motoshi Mogi, chief secretary to Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, invited his extramarital partner to his hotel room five times during business trips while at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, staying overnight twice and paying only a single-person rate. After the weekly magazine 'Bungei Shunju' exposed the matter, Hayashi confirmed the facts in parliament and stated that checks for possible information leaks are underway.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 14:32
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 14:49 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 14:50 (0 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 12th, Combined Foreign Reports) The Japanese government spokesperson said today that Motoshi Mogi, a secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary, while previously serving at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), spent time with an extramarital partner at a hotel five times during business trips, including two overnight stays. The government is considering appropriate measures based on the situation.
According to reports from the Asahi Shimbun and Nippon TV, Motoshi Mogi is currently the chief secretary to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, and also served as secretary to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when she was Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, making him a figure close to Takaichi's inner circle.
The weekly magazine 'Bungei Shunju' recently reported that between May and September 2025, while Mogi was at METI, he repeatedly invited his extramarital partner to his hotel room during business trips. On the two occasions they stayed overnight, he only paid for a single-person room, and there are suspicions of misconduct and information leaks.
This incident occurred before Mogi assumed his current position as secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Today, during a session of the House of Representatives Cabinet Committee, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, in response to a question from opposition lawmaker Akira Nagatsuma of the Reform Union, confirmed that while Mogi was serving as an executive related to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan at METI, "between May and September, he invited a female acquaintance to his hotel room five times during business trips to Osaka, and admitted that two of those times involved overnight stays."
Regarding the two overnight stays, Hayashi explained that Mogi believed he did not need to pay for a double room at the time. However, after being interviewed by 'Bungei Shunju', Mogi confirmed with the hotel that an additional fee was required and paid the difference out of his own pocket.
Hayashi stated, "I have heard that he has settled the accommodation fees with the hotel."
As to whether Mogi leaked confidential information to his extramarital partner, Hayashi responded, "We are currently confirming with METI. After a thorough confirmation, we must decide whether personnel measures are necessary," adding, "At this point, it is not the stage to answer details of the investigation." (Editor: Yang Weijing) 1150612
According to reports from the Asahi Shimbun and Nippon TV, Motoshi Mogi is currently the chief secretary to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, and also served as secretary to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when she was Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, making him a figure close to Takaichi's inner circle.
The weekly magazine 'Bungei Shunju' recently reported that between May and September 2025, while Mogi was at METI, he repeatedly invited his extramarital partner to his hotel room during business trips. On the two occasions they stayed overnight, he only paid for a single-person room, and there are suspicions of misconduct and information leaks.
This incident occurred before Mogi assumed his current position as secretary to the Chief Cabinet Secretary.
Today, during a session of the House of Representatives Cabinet Committee, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi, in response to a question from opposition lawmaker Akira Nagatsuma of the Reform Union, confirmed that while Mogi was serving as an executive related to Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan at METI, "between May and September, he invited a female acquaintance to his hotel room five times during business trips to Osaka, and admitted that two of those times involved overnight stays."
Regarding the two overnight stays, Hayashi explained that Mogi believed he did not need to pay for a double room at the time. However, after being interviewed by 'Bungei Shunju', Mogi confirmed with the hotel that an additional fee was required and paid the difference out of his own pocket.
Hayashi stated, "I have heard that he has settled the accommodation fees with the hotel."
As to whether Mogi leaked confidential information to his extramarital partner, Hayashi responded, "We are currently confirming with METI. After a thorough confirmation, we must decide whether personnel measures are necessary," adding, "At this point, it is not the stage to answer details of the investigation." (Editor: Yang Weijing) 1150612
FAQ
What is Motoshi Mogi's position?
Chief secretary to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, and a close aide to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
What was the problematic behavior?
Inviting his extramarital partner to his hotel during business trips while at METI and underpaying for accommodation.
Is there a possibility of information leaks?
An investigation with METI is underway. Personnel actions may be taken depending on the results.