Japanese wrestler can wear his mask during meetings after being elected to council

A Japanese professional wrestler has been given permission to wear his trademark mask during official council meetings after being elected to his local assembly.

Billyken Kid, 52, was elected for the first time to the Kawanishi Municipal Assembly in Hyogo Prefecture in October.

Throughout his campaign, he wore his mask and then asked whether he could keep it on when carrying out his duties as a councillor.

The request was approved by a majority of representatives at a meeting on November 6, with Billyken allowed to enter the chamber masked from a special assembly session three days later.

Although his identity must first be verified, he can then keep his face covered during proceedings.

Billyken, who performs for Osaka-based wrestling promotion Osaka Pro Wrestling, is not breaking any assembly rules by wearing the mask, as there are no specific regulations governing them.

Representatives from four of the assembly’s five parliamentary groups supported the request, arguing that voters had elected him knowing he wore the mask.

However, one group, made up of Liberal Democratic Party assembly members and others, opposed the move.

They pointed out that Billyken had previously appeared both with and without his mask, arguing that public officials should present themselves consistently.

The group said it could not support the request because there was a lack of clarity over whether he would always wear it.

Following the decision, Billyken said: ‘My dream has come true. There are opposing views, but I hope to earn recognition through my actions as a council member going forward.’

He also explained that he would remove his mask for certain events outside the assembly, such as memorial services.

For other duties, including visits to inspect administrative facilities, he said he would decide whether to wear it depending on the wishes of the organisation hosting him.

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