Official played pachinko during quake crisis

The deputy Akita governor is in hot water for playing pachinko instead of returning to his office after a massive earthquake rocked northern Japan on Monday, it was learned Wednesday. Deputy Gov. Takashi Chiba was the highest-ranking man at the Akita Prefectural Government when the quake occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on Monday because Gov. Sukeshiro Terata was away on a trip to South Korea.

Chiba, 63, was driven to a pachinko parlor in a car owned by the local government and continued to play pachinko for half an hour after the massive temblor hit his prefecture.

A spokesman earlier explained Chiba’s late return to the prefectural government hall by saying, “He was in an area where the reception is bad for mobile phones. It took a long time for him to find a taxi.” CONTINUE

Talk about gambling that your cell phone will always work in an emergency..!!

Posted: 28 May 2003 | Filed: Editor's Note, Sign of the Times | Feedback | Print |