Fukuoka prefectural assembly cash‑payment scandal probes alleged 20‑million‑yen bribe

The Fukuoka prefectural assembly is under scrutiny after audio recordings were released that suggest former speaker Yoshimatsu Gen'aki demanded a total of ¥20 million from senior Liberal Democratic Party members in exchange for retaining the speaker and vice‑speaker posts.

Vice‑speaker Makoto Nakao held a press conference denying that he received any money and expressed disbelief in the scientific voice‑matching analysis, stating, “I cannot believe it based on my senses.” He also questioned the credibility of the forensic results.

During a public ceremony in central Fukuoka, a resident voiced community anger, saying, “Citizens are angry and we want the truth quickly.” The incident has sparked calls for an immediate verification of the allegations and heightened public scrutiny of the assembly’s leadership.