ans – known better for their sombre suits – have started appearing in public wearing giant fruit and vegetable headdresses.Cherries, asparagus and edamame soybeans are among a cornucopia of produce adorning the heads of a number of regional governors in an attempt to promote local agriculture.
An early pioneer was Mieko Yoshimura, the governor of Yamagata Prefecture, who surprised the public in April after unexpectedly placing a giant hat in the shape of a cherry, complete with green stem, on her head during a speech in the prefectural government building.
Yamagata produces about 70 per cent of Japan’s ruby cherries. Ms Yoshimura said her unusual headgear was a way to strengthen the prefecture’s “power to send messages”, according to Kyodo News.
Masaki Enomoto, the mayor of Tsuruoka, has recently started wearing an oversized green hat in the shape of a soybean in public, while Shigemi Takahashi, the mayor of Mogami, has been sporting a hat in the form of a large asparagus tip, accessorised with a green spotted tie.
