Saga Governor Yamaguchi Yoshinori has reportedly added two more Saga-born celebrities to a list of talent barred from prefecture-related appearances, widening a dispute over whether a governor should police jokes about his region.
The names on the list are TV personality Yuki Maomi, 46, and actor Ichinose Wataru, 41, Shukan Bunshun reported in its November 5 issue. Yuki is from Saga city. Ichinose is from Ureshino and starred in the Netflix drama "Sanctuary."
A prefectural employee questioned the governor's approach. "The governor keeps declaring NG one after another on Saga-born talent who say things he doesn't like on TV or at events," the employee said. "It's like he thinks he's a king, and there are voices inside the prefectural office questioning how he handles this."
The comedian and the song
Shukan Bunshun reported in its October 22 issue that Yamaguchi, 61, had banned the comedian Hanawa's signature song "Saga-ken." The ban drew attention on social media, with critics questioning the governor's response and arguing he should weigh the song's contribution to the prefecture.
The song was a major hit. Then-Governor Furukawa Yasushi, now a member of the House of Representatives, appeared in its music video, and the prefecture later gave Hanawa a letter of appreciation.
"The governor can't forgive self-deprecating jokes," a local figure said. "When a celebrity does a self-deprecating bit about Saga on TV or at an event, he flies into a rage and declares them NG on the spot."
The program behind the ban
The two newest names trace back to a single Fuji TV program that aired in November 2023, "Hirake! Pandora no Hako Antatchaburu TV." The show, whose title refers to opening a Pandora's box, sends its crew to look into taboo subjects around the country.
Ichinose filmed on location in Saga Prefecture, and Yuki appeared as a studio guest.
“The governor keeps declaring NG one after another on Saga-born talent who say things he doesn't like on TV or at events.”a Saga Prefectural Government employee, quoted by Shukan Bunshun