The police chief of Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan has made a rare comment about a rumor on social media that a former prefectural assembly member was facing arrest. He called the information "completely groundless."

Murai Toshiyuki made the comment at a prefectural assembly meeting on Monday.

Murai said he normally refrains from commenting on individual cases, but made clear that the former assembly member was never voluntarily questioned by police as a suspect, and that there were no plans to arrest him.

He added that it is extremely regrettable that such obvious false rumors have spread on social media.
The former assembly member, Takeuchi Hideaki, reportedly killed himself on Saturday. He had been tasked with probing power harassment and other allegations against Hyogo Governor Saito Motohiko.

NHK Party leader Tachibana Takashi posted a video on his YouTube channel saying Takeuchi had been undergoing voluntary questioning by Hyogo police, and was to be arrested soon.

Although the video is no longer available, similar information spread widely across social networks.

Tachibana told NHK on Monday that he was astounded to learn about the death. He said his claim was untrue and that he wants to apologize.