Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Isao Kurauchi hints at resignation; third-party committee to investigate allegations of money transfers

It was learned on the 17th that Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Isao Kurauchi (Liberal Democratic Party) has expressed his intention to resign as chairman. According to several LDP prefectural assembly members, at a faction meeting held before the special session of the prefectural assembly on the same day, he explained his intention to resign once there is a certain prospect of reforming the assembly, including an investigation by a third-party committee regarding the suspicion of receiving money for the positions of president and vice chairman.

Third-party committee to investigate Suspicion of money transfer - Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly

Meanwhile, at an extraordinary meeting on the same day, the prefectural assembly canceled a vote on a resolution recommending Kurauchi's resignation, which had been submitted by prefectural assembly member Minaaki Yoshimatsu, who testified about the alleged exchange of gold harpoons. The Liberal Democratic Party, the largest party, made a motion to cancel the vote, which was passed.

Mr. Yoshimatsu responded to an interview after the session and said of the Liberal Democratic Party's response, ``It's unfortunate that a vote was not taken head-on.This cannot be said to be the approach of a democratic parliament.''

The Liberal Democratic Party prefectural assembly member who made the motion complained that, given that the prefectural assembly will conduct an investigation into the allegations of harpoon exchange by a third-party committee based on the Japan Federation of Bar Associations' guidelines, ``Both the content and time of the proposal (for the resolution recommending resignation) is insufficient, and it would be extremely hasty to bring it to a vote.''

The draft resolution criticizes Kurauchi's actions as chairman, saying, ``It cannot be said that he is at all worthy of his responsibilities.'' "These scandals, in which Chairman Kurauchi is closely involved, are causing a situation that fundamentally shakes the legitimacy of the prefectural assembly," citing suspicions of receiving gold harpoons and expensive overseas activities.

Mr. Kurauchi was first elected to the prefectural assembly in 1987 and is currently in his 10th term. In June 2025, he also became chairman of the National Association of Prefectural Assembly Chairmen.