Japan Lawmakers Scolded for Reading Comics
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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (search) scolded rookie lawmakers Thursday for reading comic books and talking on their cell phones during legislative sessions, according to a newspaper report.
The national Asahi newspaper said Koizumi scolded 30 first-term lawmakers from his Liberal Democratic Party (search) during a luncheon.
"Don't send e-mail on your cell phones or read comic books in Parliament while in session," Koizumi was quoted as saying.
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"You can be seen very clearly from the prime minister's seat. You should really stop that — it's disgraceful."
Koizumi's office said he hosted a luncheon Thursday, but it could not immediately confirm his comments.
Comic books, often with adult themes, are common reading material for middle-aged men. Japan's younger generation also is hooked on using cell phones to send e-mail.
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The country's youngest lawmakers sit in the front of Parliament, while their elders sit in the back of the chamber.