Renho’s decision to run for Tokyo governor is extremely well-timed. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is currently stinging from a string of electoral defeats in local elections, mostly stemming from a slush fund scandal that’s gravely tarnished its image.
Mine Fujiko wasn’t the only iconic character originated by Masuyama Eiko. The voice actress was also the first to play the transforming heroine Cutie Honey in the original 1973 series of the same name, based on the manga by prolific creator Nagai Gō.
The idol group members say that Onodela will miss today’s performance, However, in the video, we see Onodela enter in her street clothes.
“I’m Onodela Popuko, and today is my last day with this group,” she announces. She then turns to her now-former colleagues and flips them a middle finger.
Suddenly, a figure darted out from the side of the steep stone stairway. Sanetomo would have recognized the man – for not only was he the head priest of Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, he was also the Shogun’s own blood nephew and adopted son.
For the first time in Japan, a local government recognized same-sex spouses on a residence certificate as a common-law marriage. Now, it looks like other governments may follow suit in a move that could pressure Japan's central government to act on marriage equality.