Newly elected legislator LaSalle Ishii arrives at upper house with school backpack
Explaining his reason for sporting the "randoseru" backpack, commonly used by elementary school students in Japan, the 69-year-old Ishii said, "It's because I'm a brand new first year student." He was presented with a bouquet of flowers by party leader Mizuho Fukushima. Surrounded by reporters, he remarked, "There are more cameras than ever before. I keenly feel that this is a heavy responsibility."
Ishii has a past career as an actor. Regarding his activities as a lawmaker, he expressed enthusiasm, saying, "People say 'the SDP's claims are just nice words,' but I want to advance politics with the mindset, 'What's wrong with having idealistic dreams?'"
(Japanese original by Tohru Shirakawa, Tokyo Bureau)
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