The by-election for Tokyo’s 15th Ward in the House of Representatives, which was counted on the 28th, was a mix of nine former candidates and the new candidates. During the election period, unusual behavior was evident, such as some groups interrupting the speeches of other groups with loud noises. Issues of politics and money attracted attention, but turnout was at an all-time low. Campaign reporters take a look back at the election campaign. (This article is the first part)
◆An implausible reason for running for office: “To avoid getting arrested”
AThe unfortunate news of “election interference” attracted attention. The “Tsubasa no Party” group continued to block the speeches of other candidates with loud noises, making it difficult to announce public speeches in advance, creating an unusual situation in which it was difficult for voters to appeal the to hear candidates.
The campaign received a warning from the Metropolitan Police Department for suspected violations of the Public Office Election Act, and their representatives announced their candidacy for the Tokyo gubernatorial election on the 25th. The reason for running is “to avoid arrest.” besides themselves. I’m worried that something like this will happen again.
BOn the day of the announcement, I visited the place where Hiromasa Ototake, an independent entrant, gave a speech, and saw Ryosuke Nemoto and others from various groups of this group climbing into a public telephone booth nearby and making a campaign announcement. Cars were honking their horns and the area was noisy. The speech by the Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike, benshi, was almost inaudible. In an interview with this newspaper, Nemoto said, “I am a candidate who would do something like that,” but he is too selfish.
Mr. Ryosuke Nemoto
cAfterwards, Mr Koike took to 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 talk to Ototake and others, and police officers trying to hold them back, and it was not surprising that some people might have gone -hearing hurt.
◆ “Clash” during the election campaign also appeared on SNS…
DIn the ward mayoral election held in the same Koto ward last December, each camp released a schedule of street speeches on Almost.
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.. .the Japanese Conservative Party camp.”He complained that his space for a street speech in front of the station had been “taken”. He also called for consideration, such as “respecting the camp that came first” and “accepting each other’s time.”
On the other hand, Ishin was criticized by the party camp for giving a street speech in front of the Japan Conservative Party 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 blaming other camps.
A large number of police officers guard a public lecture center on the 21st in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
EA female voter in her 50s said, “At first, I wanted to listen to street speeches from different camps, but this time they were not announced in advance, which made me nervous. Today I happened to pass by and see 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 metropolitan assembly by-election and the gubernatorial election approach, he argues that the electoral law must be public, which does not control the blocking of candidates and their camps, change immediately. Situations that would limit the freedom of elections are things we would like to avoid, but there are some aspects where they cannot be avoided. (continued in part two)
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◆ “obstructing the freedom of elections” carries a penalty of up to 4 years in prison
The Public Offices Election Law defines acts of assaulting candidates or interfering with their speeches as “crimes of obstructing electoral freedom.” Violations are punishable by imprisonment of 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.
Even the act of sabotage in the by-election for Tokyo’s 15th district was discussed 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 communicate their claims to voters become widespread, some kind of measures are necessary .”
Iwao Osaka, an associate professor of political communication at Komazawa University, said of the speech ban, “It harms the freedom of candidates to speak and the freedom of voters to listen.” There is a long history of case law that regarding “blocking the freedom of elections,” therefore the judges should give solemn judgments. He said, “The problem is that in Japan the only form of communication during the election is street speeches and marches. We need to rethink how we can campaign, such as by lifting the ban on a door-to-door canvass. , so that we have more communication with the voters.” He said. (Shunsuke Shimizu)
Yes
2024-04-29 21:00:00
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