Fukuoka assembly speaker Yuho Kurinai faces 20 million‑yen money‑exchange allegations

Yuho Kurinai, speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, has been accused of receiving roughly ¥20 million in cash and other payments to secure his election as speaker. The allegations were made by assembly member Gen‑Aki Yoshimatsu, who testified that he and other Liberal Democratic Party leaders gave the money under the guise of golf and dining expenses, describing the funds as “extortion” or “protection money.” Kurinai denies both receiving and paying the money and says no wrongdoing occurred.

Several political groups and parties have called for an independent investigation, demanding either a third‑party committee or a stricter “百条委員会” under the Local Autonomy Law. Kurinai has expressed reluctance to set up a third‑party panel, citing concerns about lengthy investigations and upcoming elections. In addition to the money‑exchange claims, reports note that the assembly has spent about ¥300 million on overseas trips over three years, and a firm linked to Kurinai’s former secretary manages a local park project. A third‑party investigative panel is expected to be formed by September to examine the allegations and related public‑fund usage.