2026年8月25日、福岡県議会の議長を務めていた蔵内勇夫氏が、議員を辞職しました。長年「県議会のドン」と呼ばれてきた実力者の退場です。
On 25 August 2026, Isao Kurauchi, who had served as speaker of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, resigned as an assembly member. This marks the departure of a long-time power broker known as the “don” of the prefectural assembly.
蔵内氏は東京都内で記者団に「本日をもって議長、県議を辞職する」と述べました。辞職理由を詳しく説明せず、「後日、福岡でゆっくり報告したい」と話して取材を終えました。
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Kurauchi said, “As of today I resign as speaker and as a prefectural assembly member.” He did not explain the reasons for his resignation in detail, saying only that he would “report at leisure in Fukuoka later,” and then ended the interview.
背景には、金銭授受の疑惑があります。過去の正副議長経験者らが、「就任の際に自民党県議団の幹部に数百万円から数千万円を払った」と証言しています。蔵内氏は一貫して関与を否定しています。
The background is a money-for-positions scandal. Former speakers and deputy speakers have testified that they paid several million to tens of millions of yen to executives of the LDP prefectural assembly group when taking office. Kurauchi has consistently denied any involvement.
県議会は第三者委員会を設置し、調査を進める方針です。蔵内氏は「議員を辞職しても、調査には誠実に協力する」と述べています。一連の問題の幕引きにする考えはないとしています。
The prefectural assembly plans to set up a third-party committee to conduct an investigation. Kurauchi stated that even after resigning as an assembly member he will “sincerely cooperate” with the probe. He said he has no intention of using his resignation to bring the whole matter to a close.
蔵内氏は1987年に初当選し、当選10回を重ねました。議長や自民党県議団の会長を長年務め、影響力が非常に大きかった人物です。今回の辞職で、福岡県政界に大きな変化が起きる可能性があります。
Kurauchi was first elected in 1987 and has been elected 10 times. He long served as assembly speaker and as head of the LDP prefectural assembly group, wielding enormous influence. His resignation may bring major changes to Fukuoka prefectural politics.
今後は補欠選挙が実施される見通しです。県議会は改革を進め、透明性を高めることが求められています。県民の信頼を取り戻すことが大きな課題です。
A by-election is expected to be held. The prefectural assembly is being called on to advance reform and increase transparency. Restoring the trust of the prefecture’s residents is a major challenge.