Knock Yokoyama dies at 75

Former Osaka governor Knock Yokoyama died on Thursday morning from cancer of the pharynx. He was 75.

Yokoyama, whose real name was Isamu Yamada, entered show business in 1955 and formed the comedy troupe Manga Trio in 1959. He entered politics in 1968, when he was elected into the House of Councillors. He first became governor of Osaka in 1995.

Yokoyama’s popularity won him a second term in 1999, but it was short-lived. That same year, he was forced to resign after a female university student who was working on Yokoyama’s re-election campaign accused him of molesting her. He denied the charges, but was eventually convicted and given an 18-month prison sentence.

Source:
Sports Hochi