The protagonist of 'Ochebulmanjok' running for the House of Representatives... Unfavorable Views [Japanese Side]

Otodake Hirotada to Run in Tokyo 15th District By-election
LDP Endorsement and Resurfacing of Affair Scandal...Attention on Entry

Hirotada Ototake, the author of the global bestseller "No One's Perfect," is running in the upcoming House of Representatives by-election on the 28th. It seems like almost everyone read "No One's Perfect" during their childhood. Born with congenital limb deficiency, without arms and legs, his parents sent him to a regular school, and he overcame prejudice and discrimination to enter the prestigious Waseda University. He then published his autobiography, "No One's Perfect," which chronicles his life.

However, public opinion in Japan toward his challenge to enter the National Diet is somewhat lukewarm. Moreover, a scandal involving an extramarital affair has reignited, making him a controversial figure. Today, we introduce the recent developments surrounding Hirotada Ototake, who has stirred up Japan this week.

The book "Ochebulmanjok" by Hirotada Otodake.

On the 2nd, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) held a press conference and announced that they plan to endorse Ototake, who is running as an independent candidate in the Tokyo 15th district House of Representatives by-election. Instead of fielding an LDP candidate, they intend to support another candidate who is easier to ally with the LDP.

Ototake serves as the vice representative of the "First Group," created by the Tokyo regional party Tomin First no Kai to enter the National Diet, and he was preparing to run as an independent to secure a seat. This group has Yuriko Koike, former LDP member and Governor of Tokyo, as a special advisor.

Currently, the LDP is facing a severe crisis due to a political funding scandal. This by-election is being held because an LDP-affiliated lawmaker was arrested on allegations of illegal election funding and resigned from office. Given that fielding another LDP candidate would surely provoke public backlash, the party has decided not to nominate anyone. However, many comments on related articles in Japan criticize this as a mere facade, pointing out that since the candidate is effectively pro-LDP, it is essentially the same as having an LDP candidate.

Otodake Hirotada giving a street speech. (Photo by Otodake Hirotada, Instagram)

But that is not all. The extramarital affair scandal involving Ototake has also resurfaced. After publishing "No One's Perfect," he gained fame and appeared on various broadcasts, effectively working as a television personality. He married in 2001 and has three children. However, in March 2016, revelations emerged that he had extramarital affairs with five women during his marriage, causing a huge uproar in Japan. The incident was significant enough to be reported in South Korea as well.

In 2016, the LDP was considering Ototake's candidacy for the House of Councillors election, but this scandal caused those plans to be abandoned.

Nevertheless, reports related to his affairs continued. In 2018, it was reported that he was seeing a mixed-race woman, and last year, another report stated that he had broken up with her and was currently cohabiting with a new partner in their twenties. After the affair controversy, he seemed to disappear from the public eye, but since 2020, he has launched a YouTube channel and started uploading videos. These include content such as passing a wine expert exam and showing his calligraphy skills.

Otodake Hirotada challenging calligraphy. (Photo by Otodake Hirotada YouTube)

Even before rumors of his candidacy surfaced, he frequently gave lectures and met with members of Tomin First no Kai. During the last unified local elections, he actively campaigned for several candidates, making his entry into politics effectively certain. Regarding this candidacy, Governor Koike defended him, stating that he "is continuing a sincere lifestyle to ensure he never repeats such mistakes (the affair)."

However, many comments on related news articles were negative, saying things like, "How can someone who betrayed their spouse do politics?" After declaring his candidacy, he uploaded a YouTube video of a conversation with Hideo Higashikokubaru, former Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture, but comments such as "People who cannot control their desires should not be in politics" were common. Whether for better or worse, public attention is focused on whether he will be able to enter the National Diet through the upcoming by-election.