Isao Kurauchi (born 1953) is a Japanese politician and veterinarian who served as a member of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly for ten terms. A graduate of Nihon University's veterinary faculty, he held a number of posts in veterinary and livestock organizations, including president of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association and president of the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations. Within the Liberal Democratic Party he led the Fukuoka prefectural branch, and he has been described as a powerful figure in Fukuoka prefectural politics. In 2024 he was confirmed as the first Japanese president-elect of the World Veterinary Association.
Career
Kurauchi worked briefly as a clinical veterinarian before entering politics in 1980 as a secretary to a national lawmaker from Fukuoka, whose niece he had married. He was first elected to the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly in 1987 and went on to serve as assembly speaker from 2001 and as head of the LDP caucus from 2003. In 2013 he became president of the Japan Veterinary Medical Association, and he later took leadership roles in the national association of prefectural assembly speakers.
Controversies
In 2026, a former assembly speaker publicly stated that money had been demanded from him before his election to the post, and other figures made similar claims. Kurauchi denied receiving payments and said an outside review of all members would be conducted. Questions were also raised about costly overseas trips and the One Health projects he promoted. In August 2026 he resigned as speaker, then resigned his seat in the prefectural assembly.