Bawling Japanese politician who became internet sensation sentenced for graft
Ryutaro Nonomura who cried like a baby when he was accused of corruption during a three-hour press conference in 2014 was handed a suspended three-year sentence
A Japanese politician who became an internet sensation for crying like a baby when he was accused of misusing public funds was handed a suspended sentence on Wednesday for corruption.
Ryutaro Nonomura sobbed his way through a marathon three-hour press conference in 2014 at which he was confronted by journalists over allegations he claimed thousands of dollars in expenses for fictitious travel.
Footage of the bawling middle-aged provincial assemblyman showed him crying and screaming uncontrollably while banging his fists on a desk as tears streamed down his face.
The much-watched sob show came after a visibly nervous Nonomura asked journalists to “stay cool” when asking questions about the allegations.
His incoherent explanations and complaints about how unfair the world was were punctuated by gasping sobs and the sharp intakes of breath required to power his next outburst.