The Aichi Prefectural Police said Thursday they will open an investigation into the town of Higashiura, Aichi Prefecture, on suspicion that officials intentionally added nonexistent residents to its population count in hopes of being upgraded to city status.
Town officials allegedly inflated the number to bring the total to more than 50,000 residents, one of the thresholds to obtain city status.
Official designation as a city would allow the municipal government to provide enhanced services, including setting up a welfare office to assist low-income residents.