Ultraman poses many riddles. One of them, I am told, is this: Why is he a public servant?

The Japanese science fiction superhero is said to be a member of the Space Garrison, an intergalactic defense organization based in the Land of Light in the distant nebula M78.

He came to Earth while pursuing an escaped space monster. In that sense, he might be described, somewhat loosely, as a kind of cosmic police officer.

But why, the question goes, is he not a company employee or some other private citizen?

American superheroes often belong to the private sphere. Superman works as a newspaper reporter. Iron Man, too, is a private citizen.

In the United States, it seems, the figure that fires the public imagination is........

© The Asahi Shimbun