<figure id="attachment_480105" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-480105" style="width: 1637px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="d6ffc270"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/09/50aa9f05b7afeaeec4cadafb07af559e.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-480105" class="wp-caption-text">Mr. Kurauchi strikes a pose while wearing a pure white fundoshi. This is the festival costume known as a “shimekomi” at the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival.</figcaption></figure>
<h2> Praise for the “Don” of the Prefectural Assembly</h2>
<p> A man wearing a white belly band and a “jime-komi.” Is this a scene from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa, a summer tradition? This man, striking a pointing pose with a beaming smile, is none other than Isao Kurauchi (72), the former chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly—currently attracting attention as “Japan’s Most Notorious Man.”</p>
<p> It is not widely known that this “Don” once published a photo book. The title, quite aptly, is *The World of Isao Kurauchi*. Produced in December 2023, it was subsequently distributed at parties hosted by Mr. Kurauchi and other events.</p>
<p> It’s a lavish 144-page volume that’s absolutely saturated with the “Don”—to the point of excess. It’s packed with private photos, such as the Don playing with his grandchild or relaxing in shorts—but one male owner expressed his indignation as follows:</p>
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<p><span class="strongInContent"> “After being forced to buy a party ticket for 20,000 yen, I was stuck with this photo book and had no idea what to do with it. Aside from the narcissistic photos, it also contained articles by members of the Diet and the proprietress of a traditional Japanese restaurant fawning over Mr. Kurauchi… I wondered who on earth would even want a photo book like this.”</span></p>
<p> The photo book also includes a section titled “To My Friends,” in which 47 people share their memories of Mr. Kurauchi.</p>
<p> Taro Aso (85), Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), wrote, “When I ran for LDP president, Chairman Kurauchi took the lead in campaigning for me all across the country,” while architect Kengo Kuma (72) praised him, saying, “Mr. Kurauchi is very stylish and has excellent taste.”Seitaro Hattori, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture (71), praised him, saying he was “impressed by his keen political insight.”</p>
<p> This photo book, overflowing with self-praise, seems to symbolize Mr. Kurauchi’s excessive self-consciousness and the sycophantic behavior of those close to him.</p>
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<p> The September 10 issue of *FRIDAY* (September 25 edition) and the paid version, *FRIDAY GOLD*, feature photos from Kurauchi’s book—including casual shots of him in sunglasses and shorts, posed photos in his study, and a message contributed by Taro Aso, Vice President of the Liberal Democratic Party.Furthermore, the issues provide detailed coverage of the “reality of the police investigation” behind Mr. Kurauchi’s resignation from the Diet.</p>
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<p> Click here to view detailed content and multiple photos↓</p>
<div data-friday-gold-link-url="https://friday.gold/article/440400" data-friday-gold-link-title="Scoop! We’ve Obtained a Photo Collection of “Prefectural Assembly Don” Isao Kurauchi Wearing a Fundoshi" data-friday-gold-link-excerpt=" Behind his “sudden resignation” looms the shadow of a criminal investigation—and with “wild party photos” of his close associates also leaked, the “darkness” still hasn’t cleared. A man wearing a white belly band and tight-fitting underwear. Could this be a scene from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, a summer tradition? He’s pointing with a beaming smile." data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-wide="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2026/09/FD65F651-25E0-4255-8B18-B9D0B20DE437-09104950489563.jpg/v/crop-faces:width=256,height=144/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=EVPpAoO2HJ14ME4vSD9GNPVgI58p1UvsHxRQ8DmlrKefmqEed0-UC8FRnJXd6Ek2226fy7Yyup-s32RGacNZMZ9tOVquuy~s1WUFwqgUimLv7woHWizx06rwyAer4DYQM0dI8H6OaV5AUFVHKXkRcr14VDTqms5v8UQ2V4ZHUkhQI1MPH1-sT1VyA4EgcCE3kzGmf8wEIir31-6gBc7mogdPoN38hrbLF-dJfmlFWAyG2LemUo6-7SyaSj2AZ5P6D~IdQhYHp~QeC~Y0rP7audgyPAxwxaIb1ipstdZMgo-RiBNEppwscKsq~rnhxCXERyQpSMs2eUlAXX3FVT0Jbw__" data-friday-gold-link-thumbnail-square="https://assets.friday.gold/friday-wp-production-assets/app/uploads/2026/09/FD65F651-25E0-4255-8B18-B9D0B20DE437-09104950489563.jpg/v/crop-faces:width=105,height=105/format:type=webp?Expires=4102444800&amp;Key-Pair-Id=K2H5GZZHVJCN4V&amp;Signature=unwo36uZOVD473e3~N61x2NcUxmo7p7YKPaEmHMKc0UHyo44sR3QKBwaeEya-dBtub8TgOU6Hxbk8jbmQafRi3CTloEiT9nNXDc4YVj-KRbLnS7S46iBkpyr3TqFYWGz3AzINeFV50UDnnoTrt~ZXT8Q-xpf6~sjm378QMisoIvkf5hghYbB1Z04DFishw3295mZOH~l7hNqU2TzPfRK5-3bJz76xEjXRik24AmJl5sS0Q20AUigPNip-7avdgva9xL9CIyVFmpLwAESl0xDgFAkk-96wbDbPPeDDGuwAGFxM-8ZGvCwh46sEjHEf7zEO7dMlMnh-KqoGwCAo5~ghg__"></div>
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<p> From the September 25, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*</p>
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 Hironori Jinno (Nonfiction Writer)

 A photo book featuring former Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly Chairman Isao Kurauchi—who has garnered attention as “Japan’s Most Notorious Man”—was reportedly distributed at parties hosted by Kurauchi himself. The 144-page deluxe volume is filled with glowing tributes from a distinguished list of contributors.

[Scoop!] The “Godfather of the Prefectural Assembly” Poses in a “Fundoshi”… We’ve Got Our Hands on Isao Kurauchi’s “Self-Produced Photo Book”!

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