Photo/Illutration Ogawara's town assembly hall in Miyagi Prefecture where visiting elementary schoolers saw assemblyman Takahisa Sato playing "Disney Tsum Tsum" on his phone during a session. Sato's seat is in the center of the photo. (Yoshikatsu Nakajima)

OGAWARA, Miyagi Prefecture--The town assembly here approved a resolution demanding a member's resignation on July 24 after elementary school students unknowingly caused his downfall.

His crime? Playing "Disney Tsum Tsum" on his smartphone during a plenary session. 

Takahisa Sato, 73, submitted his resignation letter the same day the resolution was passed. About a month and two weeks prior, students saw him playing the smartphone game during a study tour field trip on June 10. 

Another assembly member was going over general policy as Sato not-so-covertly swiped his phone to make combos and clear falling Disney characters from his screen. Rather than a dramatic callout at the session, it was the essays the children wrote about the tour that were his undoing.

"There was a man playing 'Tsum Tsum,'" one student wrote. Another read, "I don't know why there was a member who was playing 'Tsum Tsum' during a discussion." Variations of this showed up in five essays that were sent to the town assembly. 

Sato and other assembly members in the same parliamentary group opposed the resolution that called for him to resign in the discussion prior to the vote. Many other assembly members criticized him, saying, “Playing a game is highly malicious,” and, “The act should not be permitted.” 

Meanwhile, the assembly's office received more than 120 phone calls and emails complaining about Sato as well as demanding his resignation.

“I was determined to complete my term. But the lives of my family members and acquaintances were threatened, so I can’t continue this job,” Sato told the media after the session. 

Concerning the threats, he said, "I am not going to say anything."

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