Japan wrestling Legend The Great Sasuke (founder of Michinoku Pro wrestling) was arrested for assaulting a man on a train when the man attempted to take his picture with a cell phone. Sasuke was wearing his mask at the time and claimed his "portrait right" as reason for not wanting his pic taken. Sasuke is also a former Iwate assembly member and used to wear his mask at those meeting too.
The Great Sasuke arrested on suspicion of assaulting man on train
Saturday 21st February, 06:49 AM JST
TOKYO —
Professional wrestler and former Iwate prefectural assembly member The Great Sasuke has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a man on a train in Tokyo, police said Friday.
Sasuke, 39, whose real name is Masanori Murakawa, allegedly kicked the 36-year-old company employee, grabbed him by the collar and threw him against the door of the train late around 11:50 Thursday night. Witnesses said Sasuke got angry about having his picture taken with a cell phone camera while on a JR Joban Line train, police said.
Both men got off the train at nearby Minamisenju Station, where Sasuke was arrested after a bystander called police. Sasuke, who was wearing a wrestling mask at the time, denied allegations of assault.
Police quoted Murakawa as saying, “I didn’t want to be photographed when I was wearing the mask. I have the portrait right.”
Sasuke gained popularity during the 1990s largely for his wrestling mask costumes and was elected in 2003 as an assembly member of his native Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan. He drew attention nationwide because he engaged in activities as an assembly member while wearing masks until he failed to get reelected in 2007.
