Local News

The Nishinippon Shimbun is reporting that Fukuoka Prefecture paid 30.18 million yen for about four and a half years starting in 2007 to individual members of the prefectural assembly for personal requests related to the national government and Diet, including travel expenses, without confirmation of the objectives of the trip or the destination. In addition, 15.14 million yen was paid to members of the Saga Prefecture assembly for similar reasons without confirmation for more than five years. These two prefectures are the only ones in Japan with such payment systems, and they are now the focus of criticism for their lack of transparency.