Former Ozu councillor rearrested over alleged waste-contract price leaks
In short
Police in Ehime prefecture rearrested former Ozu city councillor Tsuneo Murakami (村上常雄), 67, on October 8 over alleged leaks of nonpublic price information for waste collection contracts. He had already been indicted in a related influence-peddling bribery case.
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Police in Ehime prefecture rearrested former Ozu city councillor Tsuneo Murakami (村上常雄), 67, on October 8 on suspicion of violating rules against government-involved bid rigging and obstructing public contract bidding. The allegations concern nonpublic price information for waste collection and transport contracts. Murakami has already been indicted in a related influence-peddling bribery case. [ 1 , 4 ]
According to police accounts reported by the outlets, Murakami obtained confidential pricing information from city employees while serving as a councillor. He allegedly told several contractors figures close to the city's estimated prices for the work they sought. Asahi Shimbun reported that the contractors presented the amounts they had been given to the city and were selected for the contracts. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The contracts were awarded through a comparison of quotations on February 29, 2024, according to Sankei Shimbun and Asahi. Asahi said the city commissioned 13 services under five-year contracts with a combined value of about 1.5 billion yen. The alleged disclosures covered some of those services. Police are voluntarily questioning several city employees and contractors, the outlet reported. [ 1 , 4 ]
Nippon TV reported that police searched Ozu city hall and were seizing documents related to the allegations. Police have not disclosed whether Murakami admits or denies the accusations, saying disclosure would hinder the investigation. The broadcaster said the city's mayor expressed regret, said the matter was being taken seriously and pledged full cooperation with investigators. [ 2 ]
Murakami was arrested in June on suspicion of receiving 1 million yen after asking city employees not to revoke a waste operator's permit, according to Asahi. He resigned as a councillor and was subsequently indicted. Sankei reported that the city disciplined three employees in July for accepting money or goods from him. [ 1 , 4 ]
Why it matters
Asahi Shimbun reported that the city procured 13 services under five-year contracts worth about 1.5 billion yen in total, with the alleged leaks covering some of them. Police are questioning city employees and contractors, and Nippon TV reported a search of city hall.
Key facts
- Police rearrested former Ozu councillor Tsuneo Murakami, 67, on October 8. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Police suspect he obtained nonpublic price information from city staff and passed figures close to the city's estimated prices to several contractors. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The allegations concern contracts awarded through quotation comparisons on February 29, 2024. [ 1 , 4 ]
- Police have not disclosed whether he admits or denies the allegations. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- He was previously indicted over allegedly receiving 1 million yen in exchange for intervening over administrative action against a waste operator. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Murakami admits or denies the new allegations is undisclosed. Police said disclosure could hinder the investigation.