Expenses Controversy For The Great Sasuke

Mainichi Daily News reports that The Great Sasuke - masked wrestler, promoter, and Japanese assembly member - has been accused of using taxpayers' money to cover his travel expenses for a wrestling event.

The man himself proclaims his innocence. "I studied the differences in specifications between the Tohoku and Akita Shinkansen lines and how passengers are using the lines," he said. "I also inspected station buildings. I did nothing wrong, so I reported it."

Whatever he did, and whatever the moral implications, you can't really fault him there. Besides, he is a politician - they're supposed to fudge the facts and use a little spin, it's what they do - and the amount claimed is the equivalent of a measly €70. (In an expensive country like Japan, it's probably worth even less than that.)

This isn't the first time Sasuke has been involved in controversy. A couple of years ago he was alleged to have starred in a porn movie (never proven to be true), and after his election to public office got into trouble with senior politicians for vowing not to remove his mask in session. Seems like a fun guy, I must say.

On a barely related note, WWE fans might remember Sasuke from his stint in the federation in the summer of 1997, when he came in on a wave of publicity only to have his thunder stolen by TAKA Michinoku, and disappeared quickly after. (However the two did have a couple of classic matches that are still remembered fondly today... at least I remember them.)