Mitsuo Matayoshi
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Mitsuo Matayoshi (又吉 光雄 Matayoshi Mitsuo?, also, Iesu Matayoshi), is an eccentric Japanese politician, self-styled as The only God Mitsuo Matayoshi Jesus Christ (唯一神又吉光雄・イエス・キリスト) or Jesus Matayoshi (又吉イエス). He is the leader of the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党).
He was born in Ginowan on February 5, 1944. After graduating Chuo University in Tokyo in 1968, he moved back to Okinawa and ran a juku, a private school to which students went after their regular classes in official schools. He was also trained as a preacher of a Protestant sect, and did religious activity. After a life of preacher he has developed a particular concept of Christianity, strongly influenced by Eschatology. In 1997 He established the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党) based on his conviction that he is the God and Christ.
His concept is both religious and political, a mix of christian eschatology like Augustine's De civitas Dei and modern political moralistic conservatism. According to his program he will do the Last Judgement as the Christ but the way to do this is totally within the current political system and its legitimacy. His first step as the Savior is to be appointed the prime minister of Japan. Then he will reform Japanese society and then the United Nations should offer him the honor of its General Secretary. Then Matayoshi Jesus will reign over the whole world with two legitimate authorities, not only religious but also political. The world economic system is altered to encourage every nation sustaining their economical activities self-sufficiently, based on agriculture mainly. From his view, the current economical system strongly relying on international trade accerates economical and political inequity. This idea might have its root on his life as an Okinawan who had been lived during years in the US occupied Okinawa. He won't allow any nation to place their army outsides of its border, hence the USA should withdraw their army from all overseas positions, including Okinawa. After his Judgement he will throw out those who make the current world corrupted into the Fire (see Revelation).
He has presented himself in many elections but he has not won yet. He has become well-known for his eccentric campaigns where he urges opponents to commit suicide by hara-kiri (disembowelment, note that he avoids the more polite seppuku) and says that he will cast them into Gehenna. Like most Japanese politicians, he campaigns in a single small regulation size mini-van fitted with oversized loudspeakers. Unlike most however, he blasts his campaign slogans in a ridiculous, stylized, kabuki-inspired voice.
[edit] Unsuccessful candidacies
- Mayor of Ginowan election (1997)
- House of Councilors election, from Okinawa (1998)
- Governor of Okinawa prefecture election (1998)
- Mayor of Ginowan election (2001)
- Mayor of Nago election (2002)
- Governor of Okinawa prefecture election (2002)
- House of Representatives election, from Tokyo 1st district (2003)
- House of Councilors election, from Tokyo (2004)
- House of Representatives election, from Tokyo 1st district (2005)
