Noted constitutional scholar Setsu Kobayashi announced Monday he will run in the Upper House election in July to stop what he called the "uncontrollable" government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
During a news conference in Tokyo, the Keio University professor emeritus said he was inspired by U.S. presidential primary candidate Bernie Sanders.
Kobayashi, known for his vocal criticism of the divisive security laws that took effect in March, called his unorthodox candidacy a dig at establishment politics plagued by the heavy-handed ruling coalition and the unreliable opposition camp.