Imai Eriko responds to criticism for taking part in SPEED reunion

Many fans were happy to see Imai Eriko (39) as a special guest of the small SPEED reunion at the Okinawa Actors School one-day event this past weekend, which included Imai reuniting with SPEED members Shimabukuro Hiroko and Uehara Takako, but she also received criticism because people feel that as a politician (Imai is a member of the House of Councilors of the Liberal Democratic Party), she should be focused on politics 100%.

Imai took part in one song and when she replied to a person saying the practice involved, Imai was quick to respond that practice was only ten minutes long.

練習時間は実質10分のみ！
昼休みを削りましたとさ。 https://t.co/xMG22ajdIR

— 今井絵理子 (@Eriko_imai) October 3, 2022

Another wrote her, “I want to see Congresswoman Imai dance!”. Imai responded, “I can still dance”:

まだまだ踊れるで。 https://t.co/Rpza8Cl9N8

— 今井絵理子 (@Eriko_imai) October 3, 2022

Someone asked about the criticism she is receiving and Imai responded, “I will continue to move forward, while receiving criticism”.

ご批判も受け止めながら前に向かって歩んでいきます🐗 https://t.co/Dfr9n4Wj0W

— 今井絵理子 (@Eriko_imai) October 3, 2022

Needless to say, the small amount of criticism is not going to bring her down.  If anything, it’s pretty cool that we see a politician in Japan let loose, even for a very short while.

 

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