Fukuoka Prefecture has budgeted up to 12 million yen annually for 13 voluntary groups formed by prefectural assembly members. The groups include Japan-US, Japan-Korea and Thailand friendship leagues, with subsidies covering expenses such as travel, meetings and entertainment. The payments have continued since at least 1987, while the assembly secretariat says clear selection criteria were never established. The secretariat concluded that the arrangement was inappropriate and did not disburse the fiscal 2026 allocation. It now plans to abolish the subsidy program. Source: NHK Fukuoka / FBS News
Photo: Fukuoka Prefecture
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