The by-election for the Tokyo 15th Ward of the House of Representatives, which was counted on the 28th, was a mix of nine former and new candidates. During the election period, unusual behavior was noticeable, such as some factions interrupting other factions’ speeches with loud noises. Politics and money issues drew attention, but voter turnout was at an all-time low. Reporters in charge look back on the election campaign. (This article is the first part)
◆An incomprehensible reason for running for office: “To avoid being arrested”
People from various factions and camps climb into telephone booths and give loud speeches.In the background, Hiromasa Ototake‘s camp was giving a speech. On the 16th in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
AThe unfortunate news of “election interference” attracted attention. The “Tsubasa no Party” faction continued to block out other candidates’ speeches with loud noises, making it difficult to announce public speeches in advance and creating an abnormal situation in which it was difficult for voters to hear the candidates’ appeals.
The campaign received a warning from the Metropolitan Police Department for suspected violations of the Public Offices Election Act, and its representatives announced their candidacy for the Tokyo gubernatorial election on the 25th. The reason for running is “to avoid being arrested.” Although it is difficult to understand, they expressed the idea of fielding many other candidates besides themselves. I’m worried that something similar will happen again.
BOn the day of the announcement, I visited the venue where Hiromasa Ototake, a new independent, gave a speech, and I saw Ryosuke Nemoto and others from various factions of this group going up to a nearby public phone booth and making a campaign announcement. Cars were honking their horns and the area was noisy. The speech by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, a benshi, was almost inaudible. In an interview with this newspaper, Nemoto said, “I’m a candidate who would do something like that. Don’t worry about it,” but he is too selfish.
Mr. Ryosuke Nemoto
CAfterwards, Mr. Koike visited the streets to give a speech, and the atmosphere was tense, with baggage checks and metal detectors. There were many scenes of scuffles between candidates from other camps trying to approach Ototake and others, and police officers trying to hold them back, and it was not surprising that some people in the audience might have been injured.
◆ “Clash” during the election campaign also unfolded on SNS…
DIn the ward mayoral election held in the same Koto ward in December last year, each camp released the schedule of street speeches on There were hardly any.
Shun Otokita, a member of the House of Councilors of the Nippon Ishin no Kai, who was upset, tweeted, “In the final stages of an election, when things heat up, skirmishes tend to break out…My request to the Japanese Conservative Party camp.” He complained that the spot he had been holding for a street speech in front of the station had been “seized.” He also asked for consideration, such as “respecting the camp that came first” and “accommodating each other’s time.”
On the other hand, Ishin was criticized by the party’s camp for giving a street speech in front of the Japan Conservative Party’s office before the announcement, and candidate Yui Kanazawa even apologized on her own X account. I have mixed feelings about how social networking sites (SNS) have become tools for fighting between political parties and for criticizing other camps.
A large number of police officers guarding a public speech venue on the 21st in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
EA female voter in her 50s said, “Originally, I wanted to listen to street speeches from various camps, but this time they weren’t announced in advance, which bothered me.Today I happened to be passing by and saw them, but I didn’t want to take a closer look at the election bulletin.” I want to decide on a candidate.”
Ototake emphasized, “Your right to be heard is being taken away and democracy is being shaken.” As the Tokyo metropolitan assembly by-election and gubernatorial election are approaching, he argues that the public election law, which does not control obstruction of candidates and their camps, must be amended immediately. Situations that would restrict the freedom of elections are things we would like to avoid, but there are some aspects where they are unavoidable. (continued in the second part)
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◆“Obstructing freedom of elections” carries a penalty of up to 4 years in prison
The Public Offices Election Law defines acts of assaulting candidates or obstructing their speeches as “crimes of obstructing election freedom.” Violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to four years or a fine of up to 1 million yen. If found guilty, the right to vote and run for office will be suspended for five years from the date of conviction.
The act of obstruction in the by-election for Tokyo’s 15th district was even debated in the Diet. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 22nd, “If practices that make it difficult for candidates to convey their claims to voters become widespread, some kind of countermeasures are needed. This is an issue that should be discussed.”
Iwao Osaka, an associate professor of political communication at Komazawa University, said of the interference with speeches, “It damages candidates’ freedom to speak and voters’ freedom to listen.” There is a long history of case law regarding “obstruction of freedom of elections,” so the judiciary should make solemn judgments. We are required to do so.” He added, “The problem is that in Japan, the only means of communication during the election period are street speeches and parades.We need to rethink how campaigning can be done, such as by lifting the ban on door-to-door canvassing, so that we can have more contact with voters.” It pointed out. (Shunsuke Shimizu)