All the public servants have been banned by the Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima from consuming alcohol outside their homes for a month. The move was announced in an emergency meeting held on May 21, 2012.
The unusual move was taken after a series of scandals involving the city employees. On May 18, a 52 year old port and harbour bureau official was arrested for assaulting a taxi Driver.
More reports said that a 48 year old official from the child care division was arrested for assaulting a former colleague. The incidents reported were both related to alcohol.
Takashima, at the emergency meeting held on Monday told the department managers that the shock of the announcement would make the employees realise the seriousness of the recent incidences. The mayor also said that this would also remind the employees of their responsibility towards the communities. But on the other hand the legal experts have a different opinion. They say that the Mayor’s request is exceptional partly because there is now law which enforces a ban on alcohol drinking on the city employees. The public servants cannot be legally disciplined or fired for ignoring the ban. But still the city is keen on the strict enforcing of the no alcohol, policy.
