Governor Kawakatsu of Shizuoka Prefecture gave a lecture to new employees on April 1. He said, "Unlike your job where you sell vegetables or take care of cows every day, you all have a high level of intelligence" The prefecture has received a series of criticisms and complaints over the phone and by email, alleging that this could be interpreted as occupational discrimination.
As of 2 p.m. on the 2nd, it had received 189 opinions about the remark by phone and email.