Matsuko Deluxe is a Japanese columnist, essayist, and TV personality known for his cross-dressingstage persona, as well as his pro-gay remarks and sexuality. After graduating from Tokyo Max Beauty school, he worked as a salaryman. Inspired by LGBT activists, he changed careers as an editor and writer on Japanese gay magazines including Badi and Barazoku. Before being discovered by essayist Usagi Nakamura, Matsuko Deluxe had quit his job in his late twenties and became a NEET. He made his TV debut in 2000 on the showTokyo R&R and would go on to become a regular media commentator for shows like Goji ni Muchū! In his 2005 book Weekly Transvestite Returns, he remarked that in 2000 he had measured his bust/waist/hip measurements were all and at the time he weighed. Matsuko Deluxe is a cross-dressing gay man who prefers male pronouns. In 2010, he became known for his "feud" with many of Japan's female television announcers over their perceived image. Matsuko was also critical of then Tokyo Prefectural Governor Shintaro Ishihara's legislation to limit the sales of manga and anime to those under 18 as well as the governor's noted disdain of homosexuality and transvestitism. In 2012, Matsuko participated in a debate on national pride of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese and when a Korean-Japanese guest claimed "Japanese entertainment is like field baseball, but Korean entertainment is like professional baseball", he replied that K-pop was "nothing but an imitation of American pop music". When a Korean-Japanese participant pointed out that Lady Gaga's popularity in Japan was a sign of the weakness of J-pop, Matsuko responded that Japan had welcomed music of many cultures, including Korean, and said that if K-pop artists did not like Japan the way it is then they did not have to stay. Matsuko's statements caused controversy in the Korean internet.
Television
Matsuko is a regular panelist and sometimes host on the Japanese talk showsGoji ni Muchū!, Honma Dekka!? TV, Shirushiru Mishiru, Matsuko & Ariyoshi's Angry New Party, Jinsei ga Kawaru Ippunkan no Fuka Ii Hanashi, Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai, Arita & Matsuko & Man & Woman, and Monday Late Show, and also an often featured guest on the popular comedy Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!. In 2013, Matsuko became part of an advertising campaign for Mister Donut's 10th anniversary of introducing the "Pon de Ring" donut, and has continued being the company's spokesperson through its recipe renewal and Calpis collaboration promotions.
