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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Shweta Sharma

Japanese mayor apologises after using ‘human scum’ to insult staff

United States Japan Yokohama
File: Mayor of Yokohama Takeharu Yamanaka (L) delivers a speech as Shigeru Ishiba looks on during the welcome reception for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo, on 20 August 2025 - (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

A Japanese port city mayor has apologised for badmouthing his colleagues after he was publicly called out for using offensive language.

Takeharu Yamanaka, 53, the mayor of Yokohama, has been accused of calling subordinates and a city assembly member “idiot”, “fat”, “human scum” and “ostrich”.

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