The speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, Isao Kuramoto, has indicated he intends to step down from his post, according to 読売新聞. Kuramoto said he would make his own judgment at an appropriate time, acknowledging that the assembly had been thrown into confusion.
His statement comes after a contentious emergency motion drew heavy criticism from the public. The 西日本新聞 reports that the move prompted a flood of angry phone calls to assembly members who supported it, with complaints continuing without pause.
Kuramoto has clarified that he is resigning only as speaker, not as an assembly member. He reportedly plans to remain in his seat for the September session, with the timing of his departure as speaker left unspecified.
The controversy appears to extend beyond the assembly chamber. A separate report from ktv.jp suggests that aides to Prime Minister Takaichi were angered by Kuramoto’s remarks. The report alleges that Kuramoto claimed to have received encouragement from the prime minister through eye contact, even though no direct words were exchanged. That characterization reportedly infuriated those close to the prime minister, with one person quoted as saying, “Don’t drag us into this.”
The episode could have political consequences. The ktv.jp report notes that the fallout may affect next year’s unified local elections, where Fukuoka’s assembly seats will be contested.
In a related development, assembly member Kyoko Ota has said she will prioritize her position with the Democratic Party for the People over the current democratic caucus, according to NetIB-News.
What to watch next: the timing of Kuramoto’s formal resignation and whether the backlash reshapes assembly dynamics ahead of the local elections.
