Last year, British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a coughing fit that interfered with a speech she was giving. At that point Chancellor Philip Hammond passed her a lozenge, which the Prime Minister sensibly put in her month.
That was the UK. Now for Kumamoto. To avoid a similar coughing fit, Yuka Ogata used a lozenge while she addressed the city council. Later when the chair asked her if she had something in her month she explained that she was using a lozenge because she had a cold. This led to the sudden convention of a disciplinary committee which, in it’s infinite wisdom, censured Ms. Ogata and required her to read the following:
“On the 28th of September, when I stood to address the chamber, I violated Article 134 (which prohibits undignified behavior) of the council rules. In view of the need for members to behave in a dignified manner, I deeply regret my thoughtless behavior. I am deeply sorry and hereby apologize.”
私は9月28日の本会議において、質疑中に演壇において、本市会議規則第134条に抵触する行為を致しました。議会の品位を重んじなければならない議員の職責に鑑みて、軽率な行為であり深く反省いたします。まことに申し訳ありません。ここに陳謝いたします。 ✳︎134条 議会の品位を重んじなければならない
Ms. Ogata refused to read this humiliating statement and was therefore further sanctioned by being excluded from the city council meeting for one day.
This is not the first time that Ms. Ogata has locked horns with the leadership of the city council. Earlier this year, she was sanctioned for attempting to bring her infant son into the chambers:
– Kirk
P.S. The Japanese photo was taken from https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/kumamoto/article/453408/
Also, I have reposted this because my use of a Japanese article in the previous version interfered with the sharing of the English text.