# Mari Takahashi Says Past Lounge Work Led to Election Withdrawal

- Original post: https://www.twitter.com/i/status/2069678781720133728
- Source account: [@kaixakadesu](https://x.com/kaixakadesu)
- Source language: Japanese
- Target language: English
- Duration: 2:50
- Published: 2026-06-24
- Machine translated. Check the original before quoting.
- Canonical URL: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal
- Original-language version: https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/ja/%E9%AB%98%E6%A9%8B%E8%8C%89%E8%8E%89%E6%B0%8F-%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC15%E5%8C%BA%E8%A3%9C%E9%81%B8%E3%81%B8%E3%81%AE%E5%87%BA%E9%A6%AC%E6%96%AD%E5%BF%B5-%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A6%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B8%E5%8B%A4%E5%8B%99%E6%AD%B4%E3%81%8C%E7%90%86%E7%94%B1%E3%81%A8%E4%B8%BB%E5%BC%B5.md

## Transcript

[0:02](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=2) It's true that... there was a time when I was on welfare and struggling financially. During that time, I worked hard at a nightlife establishment called a lounge.

[0:19](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=19) This is Mari Takahashi, a former freelance announcer, tearfully appealing on her social media.

[0:31](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=31) Following the resignation of Mito Kakizawa, Ms. Takahashi was scheduled to run as a new candidate officially endorsed by the Democratic Party for the People in the Tokyo 15th district by-election for the House of Representatives in April.

[0:48](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=48) At the party convention held two weeks ago...

[0:58](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=58) First and foremost, I will not lie. And I will conduct my political activities honestly, based on the anger and doubts I felt through my past experiences.

[1:13](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=73) Taking this opportunity, I, Mari Takahashi, along with the Democratic Party for the People, pledge to conduct our political activities cleanly and uprightly.

[1:30](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=90) Ms. Takahashi, who had appeared energetic, was showcasing her glamorous career on the party's website.

[1:42](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=102) After participating in Miss Keio and Miss Nippon, she started working as an announcer while in university for three years, and then worked at a foreign IT consulting firm for three years.

[1:56](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=116) However, this weekend, Ms. Takahashi revealed on her social media that she would withdraw her candidacy. The reason was...

[2:08](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=128) I was told by the Democratic Party for the People to give up my candidacy, so I reluctantly decided to step down.

[2:16](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=136) The reason is that I have a past of working at a lounge.

[2:22](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=142) Ms. Takahashi claimed that the party took issue with her past of working as a lounge hostess, serving customers at a nightlife establishment.

[2:34](https://www.translate.mom/transcript/vfCG4WQPdXs5/en/mari-takahashi-says-past-lounge-work-led-to-election-withdrawal?t=154) After explaining everything, including my sexuality, and consulting with them, citing poor health as the reason, I was instructed to withdraw.