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'Too beautiful' Aomori politician losing supporters

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Yuri Fujikawa, 28, who is a local politician in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, has been a topic of conversation on the Internet since she was elected in April, 2007. She has been called by bloggers “too beautiful” to be a politician. Apparently, she has alienated some of her political supporters because of her exposure in an upcoming photo album and DVD, in which she poses in a swimsuit.

Fujikawa was elected as a successor to her father. She basically inherited her father's supporters in his community, which is a common practice in Japanese politics.

“I'm tired of her. I have broken up my support group for her,” says Satoru Sasaki, 39, whose father had supported Fujikawa's father. Another source who is close to Fujikawa says, “Despite the political bond between their fathers, Ms Fujikawa looks down on Mr Sasaki, even though he is older than her.”

Fujikawa actually used to work as a caregiver at a nursing home for the elderly, which Sasaki's father runs, just before she became a politician.

Sasaki says: “I used to manage her media appearances because I thought she had the best interests of Hachinohe at heart. But lately she refuses to appear on variety programs unless she is paid, preferring instead to pose in a swimsuit for a photo album. I don't understand how she thinks that is working for the city.”

Fujikawa's father told Shukan Post: “As far as her DVD is concerned, I think she gets carried away a bit. But she works hard as a politician. I regret the break-up of the support group but it's no use crying anymore.” (Translated by Taro Fujimoto)

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"Apparently, she has alienated some of her political supporters because of her exposure in an upcoming photo album and DVD, in which she poses in a swimsuit...."

In this day and age ain't nothing wrong or unusual about that. I've seen hotter looking women though, considering that some are calling her "too beautiful." Yeah right.

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rjd jr - look at the likes of Taro Aso and you have to say they've got a point. Not that it has anything to do with her abilities as a politician which is what she should be judged on, of course

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There is a difference between beautiful and cute, and Japanese do not seem to distinguish. If a cute woman remains cute until old age, she might be considered beautiful. But it is beyond doubt that you can really tell.

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That's sexist - noone had any problems with Kimutaku as PM!

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So how exactly is a caregiver qualified on politics to help run the city? Oh, I see, she inherited her spot. Great qualifications.

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Samuraiiki - that's actually quite a typical and classic reaction for someone who is only able to think in terms of literal translations, and not from the standpoint of other cultures/language. A bit more interaction would help increase your understanding. Ganbatte!

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I see. When I looked at the picture I thought "she's not so attractive so what's the fuss," but after reading the article I see that her facial appearance isn't the problem, it's the fact that she's acting like a scrubber and also neglecting Hachinohe.

Speaking as a woman, if she was truly beautiful I'd hate her and never vote for her. They do say that women are bitchy, and I guess that's true. ;) But as she's just an ordinary-looking scrubber I still hate her - her body's better than mine! Men on the other hand might vote for her if she was beautiful, but how can they vote for someone they can't respect? And no man respects a woman who flaunts her body. They might lust over her, but they'd be more likely to want to comfort her after she fails than to have her in charge. Perhaps if she wears black leather dominatrix gear and stalks around on 6 inch stilettos flicking her whip they'd vote for her?

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I've been talking with my colleagues for a while about this hottie, she was on the Japanese news. The photo album is gravure, that means skimpy bikinis in provocative postures, which is not exactly usual for somebody elected in the City Council. And she did it without consulting with her supporters group, which are the most powerful force moving pawn at this level politics. and I fully agree with the notion of respect dammit talked about

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Inherited position. Great 'democracy' they have in this country.

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Kuro-mei Palin!

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"I'm tired of her."

I'm not.

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Sounds like she don't know her place in the old boy's club. All She needs is lessons from Sarah Palin. Wear a beehive hairdo, and glasses. Then people will take her seriously. Really sexy seriously.

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I gues she went into politics to become a "talent"

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Fujikawa was elected as a successor to her father. She basically inherited her father’s supporters in his community, which is a common practice in Japanese politics.

To me folks, this is the key. The 'common practice' of dynastical politics will often lead to a pretty rum bunch of politicians. Just because you share DNA does not mean you have any ability. Notice that there is nothing about her stance on anything (except a podium) or any details of her political activities.

When people say "you get the politicians you deserve" I think it happens in spades in Japan.

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inherited.....sheesh. does it ever end. and then the poor thing is too cute. let`s have a big "sooooo saaad."

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For a politician, she's beautiful. I don't think anyone can deny that, unless they have some sort of bizarre LDP-dino-fechi. And it sounds like she's skiving. If she were any real politician, she'd be busy off somewhere on a Hawaiian fact-finding mission, where she could pose for the cameras on the taxpayers' dime.

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To me folks, this is the key. The 'common practice' of dynastical politics will often lead to a pretty rum bunch of politicians.

Exactly, Blv. And if we're going to get a rum bunch, the least we can also get out of it is a skin calendar every now and then.

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she deserves a seat alright, doing nails in a manicure salon.

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Sorry but I don't think she's so hot.

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Actually 'too beautiful' is kind of a mistranslation. In Japanese you say things like 'oishisugiru' 'hirosugiru'. These usually just mean 'really, really good' 'really big'.

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What? Um, no. I'm sure it's exactly as translated, 'too beautiful to be a politician', not 'really beautiful to be a politician'

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Sorry but I don't think she's so hot.

Name three hotter politicians.

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So what is wrong because is mixed with politics? Is that because she a woman? One wonder is about her actions to Community and society. There is no question if she is hot or not, but thinking with sensibility you must give her a credit to hold such position. I never heard of her, but reading this article I fill confidence that she could perhaps straighten up few things for you people. Her talent is an example to young generation. There is always the beginning for everyone. Show her some respect.

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there have been some great hotties in Italy, the german minister of families is also hot

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there have been some great hotties in Italy, the german minister of families is also hot

Okay. I meant in Japan. Italian pornstar politicians don't count!

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Do not get the appeal. She looks like every J-girl here, no prettier or better. And if she wants to be taken seriously, she should concentrate on politics, not being a talento.

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And if she wants to be taken seriously, she should concentrate on politics, not being a talento.

She essentially inherited the family business, Spanish. There's no indication that she's interested in being taken seriously.

The ruling elites have dumbed down the population to the point where personalities trump issues. Now they're worried that they've done their job too well. Fujikawa is the chick coming home to roost.

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She's not a 60-year old stuffy Japanese guy and so of course people will not respect her so much as a politician.

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She's not a 60-year old stuffy Japanese guy and so of course people will not respect her so much as a politician.

What has this person done to be respected as a politician regardless of her age and gender?

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Too beautiful? Oh please, she's just one of the dime-a-dozen princesses that are in Japan. She ain't hot and I've not seen her do anything in politics!

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Just keep smiling and looking pretty, Dear. Yes, you are a shining beacon of empowerment for all young women in Japan, for whom the sky is the limit. Now, go and fetch the boys some tea.

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Please, please...please do not have her start appearing on TV. I can barely watch TV as it is. I mean if she was busting out of her shirt or something, maybe. But even those chicks are a dime a dozen now. Why she inherited her spot and now using it to become a "talent", c'mon a talent?, is beyond me.

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I like her she is really too beautiful to be in polluted world of politics.

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If a politician gets their feathers ruffled because of another politicians looks, perhaps a new career in ??? awaits. I agree with her father on this one, maybe the dvd isn't too carried away, I wouldn't know, I haven't seen it.

A politician with a personal dvd might be more respectable than one trying to appear on as many variety shows that will have her/him.

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Yuri Palin

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She looks like a man.

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I don't care if a politicain is beautiful or not. It's the brains and her actions that dictate whether she is fit. If she begins to neglect that duty then out with her. You have to admit, most pretty girls are so self absorbed that maybe this DVD cover thing has worried people that she is begining on that road.

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to neglect that duty

She probably realizes the superfluous nature in the variety show content and wishes to do something more meaningful and personal.

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It's a matter of taste. I'd rather watch her ramble on than Ozawa. Atleast she doesn't have those awful puffy bags under her eyes.

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She's obviously very beautiful, talented and intelligent enough to be a political leader. Why does this threaten so many people?

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Pretty or not isnt relevent here, whats relevant is whether shes a good politician or not. The people of Hachinohe will get the opportunity to judge her results and behaviour at the next election.

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I would love to poll her electorate.

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I think saying "too beautiful" related to her supporters abandoning her is in this case an euphemism to describe the discomfort and disbelief (good grief! they may have said) she caused to her supporters by doing a DVD featuring soft-porn (aka, gravure), among other things. Saying "too beautiful" is a sarcasm for "all too willing to wear skimpy outfits and sell the photos," no more than that.

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This woman is an opportunist and nothing more. Too beautiful to be a politician? She never wanted to be one in the first place you can tell by her callous remark to losing her support base ("I regret the break-up of the support group but it’s no use crying anymore”). She was just using her father's office to catapult herself into the limelight. As a young woman she could have done more to empower and inspire young women all over Japan to be more than bikini pin-ups for the chauvinistic boy's club. She chose to be (or is) the typical airheaded bikini model we see every night on J-TV. What a waste.

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"I regret the break-up of the support group but it’s no use crying anymore”

It was her father who said that.

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