Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly scandal over multi‑million yen payments for chair positions

A corruption scandal has erupted in the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly after a former chairman, Yūgo Kurauchi, alleged that he was asked to pay large sums of cash to secure his election as chair. Former vice‑chair Hideyuki Eto testified that he paid roughly ¥8 million, while another former leader disclosed payments totaling about ¥20 million for golf, meals and other expenses demanded by senior party officials. A recorded conversation captured party chief Masayuki Nakao saying “big money, we have to manage it,” confirming the alleged extortion. The revelations have prompted calls for an independent third‑party investigation, with some lawmakers and the prefectural governor urging the formation of a special committee to examine the payments and related party‑funded event tickets bought by prefectural department heads.

The scandal also drew attention to national figures: Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, is linked through his former private secretary, Kurauchi’s son, who served in Hayashi’s office during 2014‑15. Critics argue that the investigation should extend to any former assembly leaders who may have been involved, and that the episode undermines public trust in local governance.