Fukuoka Prefecture issued a directive on June 1 requesting that employee organizations, including the departmental managers’ association known as the Bukachokai, refrain from making donations to political groups or subsidizing related contributions. The move followed revelations that membership fees collected by the association had been used to help purchase tickets for political fundraising events hosted by prefectural assembly leaders. An internal investigation found the practice had continued for more than a decade but concluded it did not violate political funding laws because participation was voluntary and not intended to support a specific political organization. The prefecture said stricter standards were needed to maintain public trust and announced plans to establish an anonymous reporting system for employees beginning June 8. Source: NHK News / Asahi Shimbun
Photo: Fukuoka Now
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