Akira Higuchi paid over 6 million yen for golf and other expenses

Akira Higuchi, a 55-year-old member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly’s Liberal Democratic Party faction, disclosed at a press release conference on October 2 at the Fukuoka Prefectural Office that he paid over 6 million yen for golf fees and other expenses demanded by senior LDP faction leaders prior to becoming assembly president in May 2017. Higuchi marked the third named testimony regarding the money-transfer allegations within the assembly, explaining that he believed the payments would secure his advancement to leadership positions after serving as the LDP prefectural federation secretary-general until late September.

Higuchi’s 6 Million Yen Spending Breakdown and Leadership Ambitions

Between April 2016 and April 2017, Higuchi funded three golf events totaling approximately 6 million yen, which included the LDP faction’s “Kurauchikai” golf gatherings and the “Masters” meetings involving members from other political factions, according to his statements reported by news outlets. He also covered meal expenses ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 yen per person during LDP leadership meetings held at traditional Japanese restaurants (ryotei) and French establishments in Fukuoka City. At the ryotei gatherings, he handed out envelopes containing roughly 100,000 yen as “car fare” (ochakidai) gifts, adding that he could not remember the exact cumulative sum.

Specific chronological details of these expenditures note that Higuchi paid about 1.5 million yen for a Kurauchikai or Masters golf event in April 2016, covered dinner and car fare at a Fukuoka ryotei that autumn, and funded 3.0 million yen in travel and golf costs for a December 2016 Masters tournament he did not even attend. He subsequently paid for a French restaurant New Year gathering in January 2017 and another 1.5 million yen golf session in April 2017. Higuchi stated that if he had failed to meet these financial demands, his subsequent appointments as assembly president, legislative caucus chairman, and prefectural federation secretary-general would have been jeopardized. While acknowledging that following long-standing custom was improper, he maintained that he neither gave nor received cash specifically to buy the presidency itself, and he rejected calls to resign his seat or leave the LDP faction.

Assembly drafts new political ethics ordinance following cash-transfer controversy

The broader fallout from the cash-transfer controversy has prompted the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly to draft a new political ethics ordinance aimed at restoring public trust. The proposed ordinance explicitly bans requesting money or valuables during the selection of assembly president and vice-president, alongside prohibitions on improper profit-inducing behavior, political donation controversies, and workplace harassment. An independent screening committee composed solely of lawyers and academic experts would investigate potential violations and recommend disciplinary actions such as dismissal recommendations.

Akira Higuchi details cash-transfer allegations at Fukuoka press conference

When did Akira Higuchi hold his press conference regarding the cash-transfer allegations?

Akira Higuchi held his press conference on the morning of October 2 at the Fukuoka Prefectural Office.

How much money did Higuchi spend on golf fees, meals, and gifts for senior party members?

Higuchi stated that he paid over 6 million yen in total between April 2016 and April 2017 to cover golf events, restaurant meals, and car-fare gifts demanded by senior LDP faction leaders.

What specific position did Higuchi assume immediately following the period of these expenditures?

Higuchi assumed the position of Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly President in May 2017, immediately following the year in which he funded the golf and dining expenses.