10 Wrestlers Who Ran For Public Office
3. Hiroshi Hase
Hiroshi Hase was a multi-federation star during his time in wrestling, headlining for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling, and even capturing the WCW International World Heavyweight Title from Rick Rude.
In addition to excelling in the ring, Hase has also achieved success in politics. As an independent, he won a seat in the Diet's House of Councillors in July of 1995, and in 2000, he became a member of the House of Representatives.
Hase has gained notice for defending the Hague Convention and leading a multiparty caucus designed to examine discrimination against the LGBT community in his home country. In 2015, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed Hase Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, and while his tenure was short-lived, it marked his highest position in politics.