Hawkish former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara, the supreme adviser to Jisedai no To (Party for Future Generations), on Tuesday officially put an end to his nearly 50-year political career after losing his Diet seat in Sunday's Lower House election.
"I have no regrets. I feel relieved," Ishihara said during a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, adding that he hopes to now devote his time to supporting young contemporary artists.
Ishihara, 82, said before the snap election that his physical strength was deteriorating. But after pleas from fellow members of the extreme right-wing party, he decided to run to support them. Still, Ishihara appeared to have little appetite to continue in politics, putting his name at the bottom of the party's proportional representation list for Tokyo.