Python 2.4.1 (#65, Mar 30 2005, 09:13:57) [MSC v.1310 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
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IDLE 1.1.1
>>> SPACE = "\x81\x40" # Shift_JIS
>>> a = '□□a'
>>> b = '□a'
>>> p = re.compile("^(%s)+a" % SPACE)
>>> if p.match(a):
	print "match"
	print a

	
match
□□a
>>> if p.match(b):
	print "match"
	print b

	
match
□a

#□は実際は、「全角空白」

参考:http://kittywalk.sourceforge.jp/lpython3.html(152〜154)