If you’ve got an interest in Japanese animation and/or politics, you may recall RocketNews24’s election coverage from the spring of 2015, when Minoru Ogino was chosen as the head of the ward council for Tokyo’s Ota Ward.
Not only is Ogino a huge anime fan, the Japanese word for “ward” is “ku,” which makes him an otaku representing Ota-ku.
“Cosplay is a form of expression, a part of culture, and a tool for energizing the community.”
The council head further expressed his hope that promoting cosplay in his jurisdiction would lead to a greater understanding of the otaku lifestyle and acceptance of the individuals who choose to lead it.