He is also known as either the original author or scenario writer of five of the nine movies in the popular "Wataridori" ("Migratory Bird") series produced by Nikkatsu Corp. Hara was first elected to the Diet in Japan's first post-war Lower House election held in 1946 with the backing of the now defunct Japan Progressive Party.
He had served 20 terms, totaling 54 years, as a Lower House member until he retired from politics at the age of 93 in June 2000 shortly before a general election.
He was first elected in 1946 as General Douglas MacArthur arrived to oversee the occupation and reconstruction of Japan, following its surrender at the end of World War II.
He was criticized for saying, "Those who'll go to nursing care homes for the aged [after they grow old] are the worst," in a speech he delivered in a Coming-of-the-Age Day ceremony in Sumoto, Awaji Island, in January 1972.
He had publicly pledged to voters in his home constituency that the Akashi Strait Bridge between Kobe and Awaji Island would be built.