Hideo Higashikokubaru | |
|---|---|
東国原 英夫 | |
 | |
| Member of the House of Representatives of Japan | |
| In office 21 December 2012 – 17 December 2013 | |
| Constituency | Kinki PR block[1] |
| Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture | |
| In office 23 January 2007 – 20 January 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Tadahiro Ando |
| Succeeded by | Shunji Kōno |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 September 1957 Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Japan |
| Political party | Japan Restoration Party (2012-2013) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (2007-2012) |
| Spouse(s) | Kazuko Kato (1990-2006 divorced)[2] |
| Alma mater | Senshu University |
| Occupation | Politician, comedian, actor |
| Website | Official website |
Hideo Higashikokubaru (東国原 英夫, Higashikokubaru Hideo, born 16 September 1957) is a Japanese politician. He originally rose to fame as a comedian and actor under the stage name Sonomanma Higashi (そのまんま東, literally "Higashi without change" or "simply Higashi"), and was known for his role in the popular game show Takeshi's Castle.
He served as the governor of Miyazaki Prefecture from 2007 to 2011, resigning to run against incumbent Shintarō Ishihara for Governor of Tokyo in the 2011 election, where he came in second.[3] He was elected to the House of Representatives in the general election of 2012, but resigned in December 2013.[4]
- ^ Kinki results
- ^ Comedian Sonomanma Higashi, actress Kazuko Kato divorce[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Higashikokubaru to run again for Tokyo governorship". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
- ^ Yoshida, Reiji (11 December 2013). "Higashikokubaru opts out of Nippon Ishin, Diet". Japan Times. Retrieved 20 December 2013.