Fukuoka Governor Seitaro Hattori announced on July 30 that the prefecture will expand its independent investigation into controversial overseas travel expenses to include the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, reversing his previous position that the legislature should conduct its own review. Hattori said the prefecture could no longer wait for the assembly to act. Last week, he announced that a third-party committee, established under Japan Federation of Bar Associations guidelines, would investigate overseas trips taken by the governor and other prefectural executive officials. The committee’s mandate will now be broadened to examine documents related to overseas travel by assembly members as well. The investigation will cover the past five years, matching the scope of the review already planned for the governor and the prefectural executive. Source: KBC News / TNC News
Photo: KBC News
Get Fukuoka and Kyushu’s top stories delivered to your inbox. The Now is Fukuoka Now’s free biweekly newsletter featuring local news, events, culture, business, and community updates in English. Subscribe to The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.