entertainment

AKB48 urge Tokyo residents to vote in gubernatorial election

27 Comments

In an effort to get young adults engaged in the vote for the next Tokyo governor on Dec 16, election committee officials have recruited J-pop idol group AKB48 to publicize the election.

About 100,000 posters and digital splash screens featuring AKB48 members are to be displayed around the city in the run-up to the vote. Campaigning begins on Nov 29.

Minami Takahashi, 21, Tomomi Itano, 21, and Yui Yokoyama, 19, will all feature on the posters, next to the slogan , “I choose the next Tokyo governor.”

A dedicated webpage and Facebook page, a first for a Tokyo gubernatorial election, are also scheduled for launch on Nov 26 to raise awareness of the election among young people.

AKB48 was also recruited to help get people to the polling booths in April 2011, but the sudden resignation of longtime Gov Shintaro Ishihara last month has resulted in a second AKB48 drive sooner than expected.

The percentage of Tokyoites over 20 years of age who voted following AKB48's campaign in 2011 was reportedly 57.8%, a 3.45% increase on 2007. Among 20-40 year-olds, the increase is thought to have been as much as 6%.

© Japan Today

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27 Comments
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Keep these bubbleheads away from politics......can't AKB do a campaing to discourage pregnant teens from dumping their newborn babies , or something more relevant to their fanbase ?

Edit ; sorry just remembered, their fanbase consists mostly of 40-something otakus.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

The accompanying photo is slightly dated, but acceptable!

2 ( +4 / -2 )

come over to my hosue and I promise I will vote! Deal?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

So who are the candidates?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Unfotunately the undeniable reality is that AKB is the most effective media in Japan to inform the exact date of the election to as many as possible. Shame really.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

No, it is not low. If they they were using these idols to get people to vote for a specific politician, then yes. But no that's not what they are doing. They are trying to get people out there to exercise their right to vote for their next governor.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

All this Fuss over a PSA?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This proves the fact that any time a news release containing the name "AKB48" comes out, there are people who automatically bash the news release without engaging their brain. Please find a gear other than "Neutral" (and preferrably one other than "Reverse") before posting.

The PSA is using nationally known entertainers to publicize and promote performing your civic duty. If Ken Watanabe was the one doing this PSA, I'd wager the ONLY difference would be the ones bashing the AKB48 PSA would be fawning all over him and his "civic responsibility" in making the PSA.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Some lazy Japanese needs some cutesy motivation ? shame!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Are the Japanese voting public really so bereft of individual thought that they need a bunch of bimbos with microscopic 'talent' to tell them what they should be doing? Micky Mouse would be as valid for offering advice as that lot. It's hard to believe that people can be brainwshed to this extent - thinking that AKB48's 'opinions' are worth any more than a fictional cartoon character. The only function they really have is tittilating very sad otaku salarymen who are questionably paedophile in their leanings. Oh, I forgot to include their other function - redistributing wealth to their management.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Are the Japanese voting public really so bereft of individual thought that they need a bunch of bimbos with microscopic 'talent' to tell them what they should be doing?

I think this is more about giving AKB48 another PR outlet.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Are the Japanese voting public really so bereft of individual thought that they need a bunch of bimbos with microscopic 'talent' to tell them what they should be doing? Micky Mouse would be as valid for offering advice as that lot. It's hard to believe that people can be brainwshed to this extent - thinking that AKB48's 'opinions' are worth any more than a fictional cartoon character. The only function they really have is tittilating very sad otaku salarymen who are questionably paedophile in their leanings. Oh, I forgot to include their other function - redistributing wealth to their management.

Yes.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Is there anything that cannot be promoted by these kiddy porn stars? It's odd they are encouraging young adults to vote when you consider a major percentage of their fan base is middle aged men.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

" votes shitakatta, votes shitakatta, votes shitakatta yes yes., Kimi niiiiiii "

Nothing, just making parody.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I hear Sonomanma Higashikokubaru is going to run again.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Keep these bubbleheads away from politics......can't AKB do a campaing to discourage pregnant teens from dumping their newborn babies , or something more relevant to their fanbase ?

While I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment, I just have to say that if they can't keep their own from going into AV how can anyone expect them to be "role models".

I wonder how many members are even old enough to vote?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Keep these bubbleheads away from politics......can't AKB do a campaing to discourage pregnant teens from dumping their newborn babies , or something more relevant to their fanbase ?

Edit ; sorry just remembered, their fanbase consists mostly of 40-something otakus.

Agreed! I wonder how many of them are old enough to vote?

can't AKB do a campaing to discourage pregnant teens from dumping their newborn babies , or something more relevant to their fanbase ?

RU Kidding?........ROFLMAO!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AKB method of chosing a prime minister is by paper, scissors rock.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Akiba district has Tomomi-kun leading so far on mail-in ballots...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AKB48 is doing an excellent job and hope this group knows who the candidates are :)

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

they are encouraging people to vote, and yet people are criticizing them. they could be saving AIDS orphans in Africa and people would bash them, zzzzzz.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

they're more likely to target the middle age (oyagi) group than young voters. Also AKB will prob get more votes than any of the real candidates (mostly sourced from the above age group mentioned).

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

is the next tokyo governor gonna be chosen by sales of CDs includes handshake ticket?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

People who support something like this is stupid. There is no talent, no cuteness and all is fake. Stupid always support stupid ! And don't why this kind media ask people to vote. What horrible, awful and no class !

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

All I have to say if LMAO!!!! I never knew Japan would sink this low....

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

such bitter comments. Let them into your life and you will experience the joy and light that AKB bring to every moment.

-7 ( +4 / -10 )

There is nothing that these angels can't make better. Japan should use them to promote more things. They certainly get my vote.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

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