Billyken, 52, was elected to the Kawanishi Municipal Assembly in Hyogo Prefecture in October, receiving more votes than any other candidate while campaigning masked. Assembly representatives approved his request by majority vote on November 6. He has been allowed to wear the mask in the chamber since November 9, after his identity was verified.

Four of the assembly’s five groups supported the move, saying voters had elected him while he wore the mask. The opposing group argued that he had also appeared in public without it, and that officials should present themselves consistently, The Mainichi reports.

Billyken said, “My dream has come true.” He plans to remove the mask at memorial services and will decide whether to wear it on official visits based on the host’s preference.