Takaaki Mitsuhashi, an 40-year-old economic analyst, has made a name from himself by penning books on economic policy. He is a regular inhabitant of 2ch, Japan's largest bulletin board. And now, he is running for political office.


In an effort to campaign for Japan's House of Councillors election, he hosted a "cosplay party" at the Liberal Democratic Party's Tokyo headquarters. About 200 people showed up, cosplaying and singing karaoke. He said he wanted to cosplay so that people would think that the LDP has changed.

Mitsuhashi dressed up as Gendo from anime Neon Genesis Evangelion.

三橋貴明氏 コスプレ姿で「自民党は変わった」 [スポニチ Sponichi Annex ニュース via AnineNewsNetwork]