FamousYouTuberYoshikazu Higashitani, better known as GaaSyy, has been expelled from the Japanese parliament for not showing up to work. This development arrives mere days afteranother YouTuber was hit with a five-year prison sentencein what’s turning out to be a bad month for controversial content creators.
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In a near-unanimous 235 to 1 vote, GaaSyy has been expelled from the country’s top legislative body on March 15. He’s only the second lawmaker to be ousted from the National Diet inthe history of Japanand the first to receive such a treatment in over 70 years, as well as the first to be expelled for not showing up to work. The legislature recently ordered him to deliver a personal apology to his colleagues over his lack of appearances, but GaaSyy – who’s been operating out of Dubai in recent times – does not intend to return to Japan for the time being, having said as much in a March 7 Instagram video wherein he announced he’s currently supporting earthquake relief in Turkey. He also used the occasion to pledge to donate his parliamentary salary to relief efforts in the Middle Eastern country.
GaaSyy’s ousting from the National Diet only adds to his list of domestic troubles. Back in January, Japanese media reported several locations associated with the famous YouTuber were raided by local authorities looking into allegations he was intimidating and defaming celebrities. This development happened months after his channel was suspended, though it is still unclear whether YouTube’s ban was prompted by Tokyo’s investigation. Japanese media speculates the probe is the main reason for GaaSyy’s reluctance to return to Japan from his current Dubai address, positing that he might fear getting arrested.
Higashitani is far from the only YouTuber with political aspirations, though he’s one of the rare few who managed to get elected. That notwithstanding, it was only a few months ago thatMrBeast revealed he’s thinking about running for President.
The idea of doing so also crossed the mind of one of his colleagues, seeing howLogan Paul already insisted he’ll run for Presidentback in mid-2022. Regardless of whether YouTube fame qualifies one for public office, both celebs might use GaaSyy’s experience as a lesson that getting elected is only part of the challenge.
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