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Backlash in Japan over Fukuoka officials’ costly overseas ‘research trips’

Backlash in Japan over Fukuoka officials’ costly overseas ‘research trips’
South China Morning Post Saturday 18 July 2026, 02:00 UTC By Julian Ryall 1 min read
Key Points

Officials in Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka are facing growing scrutiny over a series of overseas “research trips” that included stays in Paris and London and millions of yen in hotel upgrades, as public frustration builds over political spending during a period of rising household costs. The controversies have put pressure on Governor Seitaro Hattori and the local chapter of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Fukuoka, one of Japan’s most important regional governments...

Officials in Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Fukuoka are facing growing scrutiny over a series of overseas “research trips” that included stays in Paris and London and millions of yen in hotel upgrades, as public frustration builds over political spending during a period of rising household costs. The controversies have put pressure on Governor Seitaro Hattori and the local chapter of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Fukuoka, one of Japan’s most important regional governments and...
Japan (LOCATION) Fukuoka (LOCATION) Paris (LOCATION) London (LOCATION) Seitaro Hattori (PERSON) Liberal Democratic Party (ORG) LDP (ORG)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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