New allegations have emerged in the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly after former Speaker Motoaki Yoshimatsu claimed senior members of the Liberal Democratic Party’s prefectural caucus demanded a total of ¥27.5 million from lawmakers seeking leadership posts. Yoshimatsu said he paid about ¥20 million while serving as speaker, and former Vice Speaker Hideyuki Eto acknowledged making cash payments. Current Vice Speaker Masayuki Nakao denied receiving money or participating in the alleged scheme, despite the emergence of audio recordings reportedly linked to the case. The allegations follow recent criticism over costly overseas inspection trips by assembly members, adding to scrutiny of the assembly’s internal practices. Governor Seitaro Hattori said the claims have damaged public trust in the prefectural assembly. Source: FNN News / TBS News Dig
Photo: TBS News Dig
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