「福岡県の恥」「分かるように説明して」　福岡県議会に県民の怒りが噴出　過去の正副議長に緊急アンケート実施

The issue concerns a former speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly who allegedly paid 20 million yen to a senior member of the Liberal Democratic Party's prefectural assembly group in connection with the speaker and deputy speaker positions. Amidst a series of other current and former assembly members admitting to making cash payments, RKB conducted its own survey of past speakers and deputy speakers. Regarding the alleged exchange of money, residents of Fukuoka Prefecture say, "Their sense of money is completely different," and "If true, it's a serious matter." 70s "It's a disgrace to Fukuoka Prefecture, but their sense of money is completely different from ours. It's infuriating." 60s "I don't want them to waste money. Regarding money, I want them to give a clearer explanation." 60s "It's unacceptable to be asked for money to become a council member. If it's true, it's a serious matter." 70s "Mr. Kurauchi proudly says he's going on a trip, but I think it's strange that he's doing that with everyone's money. I find it incredibly strange that he can say it so openly." 70s "I'm a little disappointed because I wonder if he wasn't doing proper, honest politics." Prefectural Assembly Member Accuses of "Demanding Money" Regarding Speaker's Post The alleged exchange of cash between the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly has sparked outrage and distrust among residents. The incident began with an accusation by Assembly Member Yoshimatsu Gensho, who served as Speaker for one year from June 2020. Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Member, Yoshimatsu Gensho "If I didn't comply, I would be treated poorly. (At the time) I wondered why I had to do something like this. I was instructed to bring 10 million yen on the 16th, and on October 16th, I handed it over to Chairman Matsumoto and Secretary-General Nakao in the chairman's office of the Liberal Democratic Party Prefectural Assembly Group." Mr. Yoshimatsu claims that before becoming Speaker, he was asked for a large sum of cash by executives of the Liberal Democratic Party Prefectural Assembly Group at the time. He says that the total amount he paid, including meals at restaurants, transportation expenses, and golf expenses, amounted to approximately 20 million yen. The Don of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Claims It Was "His Misunderstanding" In response to this claim, Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Speaker Isao Kurauchi stated: "It was his misunderstanding. I don't know what he's talking about." The Prefectural Assembly Member Named Denies Allegations Furthermore, senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party Prefectural Assembly Group, including Vice Speaker Masayuki Nakao and Assembly Member Kensho Haraguchi, who are alleged to have demanded cash, have also completely denied these allegations. Former Vice Speaker Also Testifies to Having Paid Cash Amidst this, Assembly Member Hideyuki Eto, who was Vice Speaker at the same time as Assembly Member Yoshimatsu, also admitted to having paid cash before assuming the position of Vice Speaker. Former Vice-Chairman Hideyuki Eto, Member of Parliament: "Around January or February 2020, I directly paid Vice-Chairman Nakao 5 million yen. In April 2020, I paid 1.25 million yen for travel expenses. In June 2020, I paid 2 million yen through the Kurauchi Association, each payment made according to custom (according to established rules)." According to Council Member Eto, the total amount paid was 8.25 million yen. Other council members also testified: "I handed Mr. Kurauchi 5 million yen as a tribute." Furthermore, new testimonies have emerged from other former chairmen and vice-chairmen. Another prefectural assembly member with experience as a chairman: "As a matter of custom, before becoming chairman, I handed the Liberal Democratic Party prefectural assembly group 3 million yen as operating expenses." A former vice-chairman from another political group: "Before taking office, I handed Mr. Kurauchi 5 million yen as a tribute." A former vice-chairman from another political group who responded to the interview said the total amount paid, including golf expenses and social gathering fees, amounted to 6.2 million yen. "I didn't like it, but the atmosphere wasn't such that I could refuse," he recalled, reflecting on his feelings at the time. Survey of 26 Speakers and Deputy Speakers Since 2001 The opaque "tribute payments" that have been imposed as a long-standing organizational custom. RKB conducted an independent survey of 26 Speakers and Deputy Speakers since 2001, with whom they were able to make contact. Of the 22 who responded, 20 denied receiving any money, but two responded that they would "first answer the external investigation." Furthermore, a senior member of a Liberal Democratic Party prefectural assembly group revealed, "I heard that something like that happened as a story from the past when I was a newcomer." Deputy Speaker Masayuki Nakao is scheduled to ho...