In February, Marutei Tsurunen made political history when he became the first Westerner to take a seat in the Diet. This was as much of a surprise to him as anyone. After being first reserve in the proportional representation list of Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) after last July's Upper House election, he thought his fourth attempt to enter parliament had gone the way of the three before. Then, after the unexpected resignation of Kyosen Ohashi, one of Minshuto's elected members, Finnish-born Tsurunen suddenly became entitled under election law to fill the vacant seat.
I met the 61-year-old former missionary at his office in the House of Councilors where, even as I turned to close the door, he was on my tail, smiling, and speaking fluent English.
How does it feel to be the token gaijin in parliament?