Junji Fukuhara
Junji Fukuhara | |
|---|---|
福原 淳嗣 | |
| Member of the House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office 28 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Constituency | Tohoku PR (2024–2026) Akita 2nd (2026–present) |
| Mayor of Ōdate | |
| In office 1 May 2015 – 31 August 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Hajime Obata |
| Succeeded by | Kensuke Ishida |
| Member of the Ōdate City Council | |
| In office 1 May 1995 – 2003 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 December 1967 |
| Party | Liberal Democratic |
| Alma mater | Keio University |
| Website | Junji Fukuhara website |
Junji Fukuhara (福原 淳嗣, Fukuhara Junji; born 18 December 1967) is a Japanese politician of the Liberal Democratic Party, who serves as a member of the House of Representatives.[1]
Early years
On 18 December 1967, Fukuhara was born in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture. He graduated from the Keio University's Faculty of Law.[2]
Political career
In 1995, Fukuhara ran for the Ōdate City Council and won. He had served the office until 2003.[2]
In May 2003, he became the public secretary to House of Representatives member Hosei Norota, and in September 2008, he was promoted to Norota's policy secretary. In August 2009, he assumed the role of policy secretary for House of Representatives member Katsutoshi Kaneda.[2]
On 24 April 2011, Fukuhara ran for the mayor of Ōdate but lost to incumbent Hajime Obata, endorsed by the LDP.[3]
On 26 April 2015, Fukuhara ran for the mayor again and defeated Obata.[4]
On 21 April 2019, Fukuhara was re-elected and secured his second-term.[5]
On 23 April 2023, Fukuhara was re-elected and secured his third-term.[6]
On 7 October 2023, the LDP Akita Federation nominated Fukuhara as Kaneda's successor after Kaneda announced his retirement.[7]
On 12 July 2024, Fukuhara tell the chairman of the city council that he would resign on 31 August 2024.[8]
In the 2024 general election, Fukuhara lost to CDP incumbent Takashi Midorikawa after a close race but won a seat in the PR.[9]
In the 2026 general election, Fukuhara defeated CRA incumbent Midorikawa. [10]
Scandal
Allegations of Public Offices Election Act Violations
In the general election held in October 2024, a campaign worker in their 60s from the Fukuhara camp was referred to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Public Offices Election Act (bribery) for allegedly paying campaign car staff compensation exceeding the legal limit. In response to inquiries, Fukuhara commented: "This is deeply regrettable and inexcusable. I have urged those involved to reflect deeply on their actions, and I will ensure that thorough measures are taken to prevent any recurrence."[11]
On 11 April 2025, the Akita Department Prosecutors announced that it had summarily indicted three individuals, including the former secretary-general of the Fukuhara camp, as of March 26. They were charged with violations of the Public Offices Election Act regarding both bribery and the acceptance of bribes.[12]
References
- ↑ "Junji Fukuhara". LDP (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "国会議員情報：福原淳嗣". Junji Fukuhara official website (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "現職小畑氏、堂々6選". Akita Kita Shimbun (in Japanese). 24 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "大館市長に福原氏". The Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 27 April 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "大館市長選". NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "大館市長選". NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "次期衆院選秋田２区で自民が大館市長の福原氏擁立へ". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). 7 October 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "秋田・大館の福原淳嗣市長が退職届 次期衆院選秋田２区に立候補へ". Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). 12 July 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "秋田2区 衆議院選挙". The Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 27 October 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "秋田2区 小選挙区【衆議院選挙】開票速報・結果". The Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 8 February 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "自民党・福原淳嗣氏の陣営の運動員 公職選挙法違反の疑いで書類送検 車上運動員に上限を超える報酬を支払った疑い". NNN (in Japanese). 5 February 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
- ↑ "自民・福原氏の陣営を略式起訴 秋田区検、公選法違反罪". Hokkaido Shimbun (in Japanese). 11 April 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2026.