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Author born without arms and legs admits to having 5 mistresses

Shukan Shincho Mar. 31
Shukan Shincho Mar. 31

TOKYO (TR) – Hirotada Ototake, a noted author born without arms and legs, has issued an apology on his Web site following revelations appearing in a tabloid magazine that he engaged in extra-marital affairs with multiple women.

“To my wife, who has supported me to this point, and those who have followed my career with admiration, my reported conduct is an act of betrayal that is in no way forgivable,” he wrote in a statement appearing on the site on March 24.

The March 31 issue of Shukan Shincho, which hit newsstands on Thursday, says that Ototake visited Paris and Tunisia with a woman in her late 20s in December of last year. The pair shared the same hotel room, according to the report.

When confronted by the magazine, Ototake admitted to the allegations. “There were sexual relations,” he is quoted by the magazine. “It does not matter if I have to recognize adultery.” He also confessed to having had five mistresses while married.

'No One’s Perfect'
“No One’s Perfect”

Ototake, who was born limbless due to a congenital disorder, rose to fame in 1998 with the publication of “Gotai Fumanzoku” (“No One’s Perfect”), his autobiography in which he emphasizes that a disability should be embraced.

Since then, Ototake has worked in sports journalism and education. Two years ago, he established a nonprofit organization that works to clean the streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, where he was born.

Earlier this month, reports surfaced that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering Ototake as a candidate for this summer’s upper house election.

Ototake and his wife, whom he married in 2001, have three children. She seems ready to accept his apology.

“As a husband, as a father, once again, I want to welcome you to our family,” his wife is quoted in the statement that appeared on his site.