Mayor of east Japan city found dead in canal; police probing possibility of suicide

Mainichi News ^ | June 17, 2026 | Kazuki Ite, Keiko Suzuki, Yasutaka Horii

[chajin]

The mayor of the city of Shimotsuma in eastern Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture was found dead in a drainage canal early on June 15. Based on the circumstances at the scene, police are investigating the possibility that he took his own life.

The body of Mayor Toyoji Sudo, 67, was found in the drainage canal in Yachiyo, Ibaraki Prefecture, at about 12:50 a.m.

According to Shimotsuma Police Station, Sudo's family visited the station at about 11:15 p.m. on June 14, saying that he was late in coming home, and reported him missing. During a subsequent search, a police officer found Sudo in the canal about 2 kilometers south of his home. He was confirmed dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Sudo's car was reportedly parked nearby.

Sudo served as a Shimotsuma Municipal Assembly member from April 2002 to January this year. He announced his candidacy for the 2022 mayoral election but withdrew after developing a heart condition. He ran again in the March 2026 election, defeating the two-term incumbent by only 262 votes.

According to the city, Sudo responded to general questions at a regular city council meeting on June 12. On June 13, he attended a funeral in an official capacity, and on June 14, he participated in a fire prevention drill in Shimotsuma's Onokocho district from 9 a.m.

In his guest address, he thanked residents for their cooperation in city administration and spoke about fire prevention awareness before leaving. He returned home at around 9:15 a.m. The employee who drove him there said he appeared no different from usual.

Since taking office, Sudo had never missed official duties because of illness. However, one city employee said, "He seemed tired from his unfamiliar mayoral duties and interactions with the assembly, but he didn't appear troubled." An acquaintance said, "I had heard that since he became mayor, he hadn't been in good health and that his blood pressure was high."

Deputy Mayor Takashi Watanabe has assumed the role of acting mayor. The city will notify the municipal election commission within five days, and a mayoral election will be held within 50 days.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Japan
KEYWORDS: immigration; japan; politician

[chajin]

Seems to me more like a Japanese version of Arkancide. Sumo's town is in the middle of an illegal immigrant controversy, where a Y10000 (about $700) reward is being offered for tips to help catch and deport illegals.

[chajin]

Sudo, not Sumo. (#$%^& autocorrect)

[DIRTYSECRET]

Drainage canal? Gotta stink. Can’t be suicide. It is an honorable way to go out if one does something shameful.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks for posting.