Junichi Ishida shows off his socks.

Junichi Ishida wears socks for 1st time in 20 years

Tuesday 17th March, 04:00 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actor Junichi Ishida, 55, who is famous for not wearing socks, appeared at a recent promotional event for the International Patisserie Grand Prix 2009 (IPGP), wearing socks in public for the first time in 20 years. “I have to admit it does feel comfortable,” said Ishida. “Since this event is about chocolate, I chose brown socks today.”

He told reporters that he used to wear socks when he played sports but decided not to do so after “a woman fan told me she was disappointed to see my socks. Apparently, she had an image of me being cool without socks, so I thought I’d give it a try.”

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Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

shoguinn1 at 08:43 AM JST - 17th March

What a waist of news...
Sarge at 08:44 AM JST - 17th March

"This is news?"

Incredible, isn't it?
Pukey2 at 09:00 AM JST - 17th March

What a waist of news...

OK, explain the pun.
bamboohat at 09:06 AM JST - 17th March

I don't know which is lamest, the fact that enough people think this newsworthy enough to include a photo and caption, that this guy went twenty years without socks because some girl fan said she didn't like his socks, or the fact that I've taken the time to write this incredibly lame comment.
timorborder at 09:51 AM JST - 17th March

And now we can sleep safe at night in the knowledge that this "talento" can dress himself, next there will be a story about the sumo wrestler who can actually wipe his own bxtt. What a non-event! Then again, it has the essence of a great rejoinder. The next time some oyaji says, "You use chopsticks very well," respond with the comment "And Junichi Ishida wears socks." A real conversation starter this one.... (yawn).
IvanCoughalot at 09:54 AM JST - 17th March

Unbelievable - this bloke's made a living for 20 years out of not wearing socks. I can't blame him for taking the money, but what a very sad indictment of what passes for entertainment in this burg.
Samuraiiki at 09:54 AM JST - 17th March

Pepe Le Piu!
PaulieWalnuts at 10:32 AM JST - 17th March

nice pose, for a teapot. I thought we'd seen the last of those ridiculous scarves around 1986
knackerz at 01:01 PM JST - 17th March

I'm devastated by this crushing blow. Knowing that Ishida wasn't wearing socks was what used to get me through the day, now my life is without meaning. We need to campaign to get him to remove the socks.
ultradodgy at 01:34 PM JST - 17th March

Cool! I hate socks. Take 'em off the first chance I get. Now I've got a great role model to point to when workmates complain...
akaguma at 02:30 PM JST - 17th March

his feet don't stink half as much as his manufactured persona and overblown ego
akaguma at 02:32 PM JST - 17th March

sorry, left out his lame acting
Nessie at 02:47 PM JST - 17th March

He must be Patient Zero for mizumushi. Yuck.
sydenham at 02:56 PM JST - 17th March

He was supposed to get married instead, but he got cold feet.
ForeignKiri at 12:19 PM JST - 18th March

People dont wear socks in POOR COUNTRIES... I wish fame came so easily for the poverished... So what's so great about him?