In America, politicians plus whimsical costumes tend to equal “ill-advised career move.” But in Japan, cosplay is just one of those staples of existence, nobody gives a fig.
http://gawker.com/5765660/why-is-this-us-congressman-wearing-a-fuzzy-tiger-costume
Indeed, two Japanese politicians recently put on their finest garb for the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya. Reports Anime News Network:
Nagoya City Mayor Takashi Kawamura and Aichi Prefectural Governor Hideaki Ohmura cosplayed as Dragon Ball antagonist Piccolo and Space Battleship Yamato antagonist Lord Dessler, respectively, for World Cosplay Summit (WCS) 2011 this week. Nagoya, the capital of Aichi, has hosted the international cosplay event every year since 2003. This year, teams from 17 countries took part.
Just for the record, I’m extremely pro-cosplay for American politicians. This debt ceiling gridlock would have been way more palatable if John Boehner dressed as Astro Boy to rally the House.
