Japanese council votes to remove unconscious mayor

Kikuo Hatakeyama, 72, has served as the mayor of Hachirogata in north-east Japan since 2008, but fell ill in February.

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Kikuo Hatakeyama, 72, has served as the mayor of Hachirogata in north-east Japan since 2008, but fell ill in February and suffered a brain hemorrhage.

The town assembly unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against the mayor meaning he will automatically lose his position on 19 May.

Japan's national association of town and village assemblies says it's rare for a no-confidence motion to be filed against a mayor due to illness.

The motion said removing Hatakeyama was a tough choice, but administratively necessary.