Former Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Speaker Noriaki Yoshimatsu said he paid approximately 20 million yen [1] to Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) executives in 2019 [3].
The allegations suggest a pattern of systemic coercion within the prefectural legislature, where leadership positions may have been contingent upon illicit payments to party officials.
Yoshimatsu, 58, said that the funds were delivered to LDP prefectural assembly group executives shortly before he became speaker. He described the financial demands as "extortion-like requests" or "protection money" that targeted his personal vulnerabilities [1].
According to Yoshimatsu, the total sum reached approximately 20 million yen [1]. He specifically alleged that Masayuki Nakao, who served as the LDP prefectural assembly group secretary-general and vice speaker, made a standalone demand for 10 million yen [2].
"I understand it was extortion or a protection-money-like request that took advantage of a person's weakness," Yoshimatsu said.
Nakao denied the allegations. He said he has no memory of the events and that the testimony lacks credibility.
The dispute centers on whether these payments were voluntary political contributions, or coerced transfers intended to secure the speaker's chair. Yoshimatsu maintains the money was paid under pressure, while the accused executives maintain there is no record of such a transaction.
“"I understand it was extortion or a protection-money-like request that took advantage of a person's weakness,"”
This allegation points to a potential culture of 'mikajime-ryo' (protection money) within regional Japanese politics, where seniority and leadership roles are managed through financial tributes rather than merit or transparent party voting. If verified, the claim that a speaker's appointment required a multi-million yen payment would signal a significant breach of public trust and potentially trigger legal investigations into political fund violations.
