[Michinoku] Sasuke becomes a politician (2003/04/13)

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

The Great Sasuke, Michinoku Pro president, became the first ever masked wrestler to be elected as a politician.

Sasuke never took his mask off during the campaign of the election for the Iwate Prefecture congress. After winning with the top votes, he said, "this is my face, and I'm not willing to take this mask off."

He has been a local celebrity of Iwate, so I wasn't really surprised that he acutally won. However, I didn't think he was going to win with the top votes. Congrats to Sasuke.

[ChrisAwesome]

... incredible. Let's just hope he doesn't try to run for Prime Minister, I'd hate to watch the debates when Sasuke gets angry...

[El Fiasco]

I wonder what Onita and Hase are gonna think about Sasuke being added to the short list of wrestling politicians...move over, Jesse Ventura...

[edgehead1984]

Amazing.

You would think that wouldn't be permitted.

[Dr Feelgood]

With all that MPro means around there, Sasuke was a shoo-in.


I've also heard that Tony "Ludvig Borga" Halme was elected to the finnish parliament and showed just how dumb he was with his first proclamation.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Another article

[Jason]

Pretty cool that this story actually graced the pages of ESPN.com.

[Mutoh-Mania]

Will the powers that be tolerate this? I mean the article mentions fisticuffs for failure to wear a tie...are they gonna accept a wrestling mask?

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

I doubt they'll allow. Japanese government and old big companies usually don't like anything untraditional to begin with. Let's see what Sasuke is gonna do.

If Sasuke still refuses to take his mask off and resigns from the seat, it would be even bigger as a story than Mr. Wrestling II's.

[The Franceman]

A mask vs place in the congress match versus the japanese Prime Minister or the Emperor?

[Sofa Kingdom]

A masked man as a politician.... very intresting indeed.

[StrongStyleKid]

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20030416wo03.htm
an interesting story about fellow politicians urging for Sasuke to "de-mask"

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

Hey, this might be an angle after all. Eventually, Sasuke is gonna challenge the governor for a match with a stipulation that he's gonna unmask if he loses.

....eh.... maybe not.

[Mutoh-Mania]

And I quote

Iwate Prefectural Assembly rules prohibit the wearing of some articles of clothing, including hats and coats, inside the chamber and stipulate that assembly members must respect the integrity of the assembly.

[Hisaharu Tanabe]

(source: Mainichi Newspaper; English article not yet posted on the site)

The better half of the Iwate Prefectural Assembly points out the fact that the voters supported Sasuke with the mask and cannot ignore their voices. It was also mentioned that wearing a "mask" in the meeting is not prohibited.

LDP, the majority party, is against it by saying that Sasuke should draw a line between pro-wrestling and politics. Other parties say that he was allowed to campaign with the mask and should be allowed to wear it during the sessions as well.

However, Prime Minister Koizumi (LDP, of course) said that it would be Sasuke's right/choice.