Shizuoka Gov. Heita Kawakatsu submitted a letter of resignation Wednesday after facing backlash over remarks criticized as being discriminatory against certain professions.
“It would be in the best interest of the prefectural residents for me to step down," he said during a news conference on Wednesday.
“I know the citizens of (my) prefecture have been greatly troubled by my remarks,” he said. “I wanted to put an end to it as soon as possible.”