Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly appointed former member Toshio Yoshimura as an international exchange coordinator and paid for him to join inspections in Thailand in November 2024 and January 2026. The unpaid position is intended to support local coordination, and Yoshimura has held it since 2020. His travel for the two trips cost more than 590,000 yen, while assembly overseas inspections have totaled over 260 million yen during the current term. Yoshimura does not speak Thai, but the assembly office said his network from years leading its Thailand friendship group was considered useful. The office is reviewing both its overseas inspection system and the coordinator arrangement. Source: NHK News / TNC News
Photo: TNC News
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