Voting under way in Tokyo metropolitan assembly election

Let's see whether people really satisfied in how they handling pandemic, vaccine rollout and Olympics.

Look at that social distancing! You would never guess you are in the middle of a pandemic!

Tomin First, for which Koike now serves as special adviser, holds the majority with 46 of the chamber's seats. Tomin means Tokyoites in Japanese.

The central government-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, and its coalition partner Komeito hold the second and third most seats in the local assembly, respectively.

Read all about it! This just in! An establishment party that supports holding the Olympics, corporate subsidies and more regressive taxes just won election in Japan!

whose blithering indecisive leadership did people like the most?

I would love it if this election was used to send a clear message about the Olympics. I very much doubt it will, but we can always dream, right?

The local candidate for the communist party has been pretty active around my neck of the woods, with her “cancel the Olympics” platform. While I consider myself politically ambivalent (or, phrased alternatively, they’re all as bad as each other), I would get a kick out of it if the people of Tokyo voted with the equivalent of a middle finger to the pro-Olympic IOC lapdogs.

But this is “change is 怖い” Japan, so I would imagine the status quo will emerge victorious.

I thought we were supposed to socially distance from one another during this pandemic. Why is this gathering allowed? Also, instead of telling people things through a megaphone in a public square, how about have a nationally televised debate to show the people why they should vote for you?

Just do us all a favor and vote no on Koike or Suga related parties.

Really?? Bring people together in close quarters and help spread a highly contagious virus in the most populous city in the country just before an unwanted international sporting event, genius!

How about jabbing every single person who hasn't already gotten their shot at every voting station?

“GorramcowboyToday  09:11 am JST

How about jabbing every single person who hasn't already gotten their shot at every voting station?”

how dare thy use logic and reason to come to a conclusion!

One of the things that I like the most about Japan is that people do not give importance to stupid politics nor are they stupidly divided

The downside to that is that you have, effectively, a one-party, benign, dictatorship because people are terrified of risk and change.

Another summer and public pools will be closed, again.

No swimming, restaurants, & bars will close early, no congregating,

wear masks, live music is limited, no fireworks, there is no joy allowed here!

Tax payers can barely survive, but yes, do host the world olympics, so they can swim, they can do sports, while residents can "watch it on tv", and are left with the bill.

These politicians ride around in their loudly blaring trucks, "vote for me" destroying what little semblance of peace, a resident has.

Corona virus is destroyed in 30 seconds, by chlorine, yet pools are closed.

How much more crap is the Japanese citizen willing to take?

Vote this tyranny out!

Unfortunate, there is no way to oust the established, very dysfunctional status quo, which includes Koike. The current pandemic of 18 months has illustrated the incompetence and neglect of the electorate by the established party and any coalition members. That the concerns of the established pols are located elsewhere aka their own enrichment, alongside elemental corruption.

The Communist Party, has also been active hereabouts. Though doubtful it will amount to anything significant.

How about jabbing every single person who hasn't already gotten their shot at every voting station?

I put this idea to my local political rep (I didn’t really. This is just for purposes of satire) and got the following reply.

”Thank you for your suggestion. It is an excellent idea. We are going to set up an exploratory committee to have a month’s worth of meetings to decide whether it is worth convening a sub-committee to investigate further. We hope to see progress on this matter within the next eight months. Sincerely…”

"How about jabbing every single person who hasn't already gotten their shot at every voting station?"

Does the voting station have the space to handle voting and vaccinations at the same time?

How would you handle the charge that the government was buying votes with vaccinations?

The voting age in Japan is 18 years and older and your medical history is not a factor in voting. Is it not possible that a healthy 18 year would get the jab before a 60 old with a pre existing condition? Is that fair?

Lets see if all complains and anger about the actions of the government make people vote differently this time...

yeah sure.

Another LDP win for the blind sheeple then

Where is Koike when you need her most with her stay home message. She has conveniently gone into hiding with her placards and will resurface when then election is over.

I live in Tokyo, my entire life is here, my family, my work, my home. I pay taxes here. But I can only vote if I give up my British nationality. Not fair at all.

Not any different than most other countries.

But what more annoying is in Japan laws prohibit governments (all levels) from hiring directly as full time employees non citizens.

At least in place like North America and Europe permanent residents may not be eligible to vote but they can be hired by any municipal, state/province/etc.. government full time, state/national schools, universities, etc.. not so in Japan.

Some places are giving non citizens the right to vote in Non governmental elections such as schoolboards, etc..

Lovin' their adherence to social distancing measures...

Tokyo-m

But I can only vote if I give up my British nationality. Not fair at all.

Tough cookies.

I’m in a similar position. But it’s a position I chose to put myself in.

The best I personally hope for is that my family vote in my personal interests :) , and that we have a small government such that any power granted by the people to a government is limited in scope.

More or less, one does have reasonable freedoms in Japan, not more constrained than most other places. (One has to take care to stay on the right side of the law and might run into some racist part of the system if lucky, but so far I’ve done ok here)

Is it not possible that a healthy 18 year would get the jab before a 60 old with a pre existing condition? Is that fair?

I think such concerns are a reason why Japan’s rollout was so slow.

It’s a pandemic, getting as many people of any type vaccinated as fast as possible is the main priority.

Not any different than most other countries.

Thats right.

It would be cool if central governments were replaced by local governments, and quality residents like us had to be attracted through good fair policies.

But the nation state system blocks this for the moment.

In future I would like to see decentralization and an end to the ridiculous concept of “nationality”. It serves us little good. We are each free humans born in this planet, not because of states and governments.

Seeing I cannot vote I never really tried to completely understand the voting system and districts system.

But as far as I understand there are 42 voting districts in Tokyo which means only LDP and Tomin are putting up candidates in all the districts and neither has enough candidates to capture a majority government.

Trying to figure out how each seat is allocated is one of the most bizar systems I have ever seen and even most Japanese I know cannot fully explain or understand how it works though they do sort of have a fair bit of an idea of the basic structure.

Where I am from each district would be cut into smaller districts each having a winner.

So using Tokyo's 127 seats there would be 127 voting districts with a winner from each district directly vote in by the residents of that area/district.

Not saying the Japanese system is wrong just saying for me it seems strange.

Unfortunately as we are probably about I learn, the mindbending decisions over the past 18 months were for the benefit of the demographic that are about to vote them back in. Old people, polyester variety salarymen, inept public servants and small restaurant owners.

I hope the young and educated brave the rain to vote.

small restaurant owners.

Seriously?!

I know mostly small restaurant owners as I avoid chains.

Nearly all that have survived the closures and restrictions are so Peed off at the present government it isn't even close.

Many have closed due to poor policies, near non existent support.

I have never seen so many JCP posters on businesses in my 30 year here.

Last election I saw many LDP and Tomin posters this year very very few in my area mostly Komeito and JCP everywhere one kisaten that I frequented always had LDP now has JCP a complete 180 and when I remarked on this, the reply was LDP doesn't care about small businesses only big ones that pay bribes, the JCP can't be worse!

That is how desperate these small business are when JCP is now an option.

I can't vote that is understandable not a citizen.

But at least my wife and both my adult children vote every elections.

Most of my Japanese friends either they don't vote or their young adult children don't vote.

My neighbour complains his wife and 2 daughters don't go to vote, just because they it is "too much trouble" ( we live one corner from the voting location not even 200 metres) so only he votes.

So I see it as my family puts in 3 votes for 4 person household his family puts in 1 vote for 4 person household.

So despite I not voting I'm 2 up on the neighbour!

Yeah I know it doesn't really work that way but fun to think about.

Get out and vote if you are eligible.

Best thing about Election Day is the end of those damn sound trucks shrieking out the name of the candidate again and again.

In Britain, only Brits can vote. No Japanese or other foreigners.

Not quite true. In Scotland, anyone legally resident can now vote in Scottish parliament and local government elections. But only UK citizens can vote in UK national elections. (Resident EU citizens were able to vote in some elections in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. I'm assuming that's no longer the case, but I'm not sure.)

Best thing about Election Day is the end of those damn sound trucks shrieking out the name of the candidate again and again.

In the name of internationalization, I think they should do it in English too.

”Taro Tanaka! Taro Tanaka! Please! Please!” (waves)

Don’t overestimate your position. As if you could statistically influence the results even if you all would be allowed to vote or all voted one same contrasting candidate. lol That’s all in fact statistically not relevant, neither from the absolute number of votes nor to the percentage outcome, because in practice you also would vote in a quite similar proportion as the Japanese citizens of Tokyo-to would do.

The Japanese Communist Party is demanding that the Tokyo Games be canceled, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition in the Diet, is pushing for another postponement or cancellation, as well as criticizing the Suga administration's response to the pandemic.

A cheap tactic to draw attentions and votes. Tokyo has no authorities to cancel or push back the Games. The central government under Suga is not even a contract party for the Olympics. Blame the IOC and they are chiefly responsible.

All assemblymen can do now is upgrade anti-virus measures (both in public health and socioeconomic support) and speedy rollout to protect Tokyoites.

Who’s opposing Suga, Kono, and Aso?

Because I’m voting for whoever they are.

Will be LDP landslide. The only reason the Tomin First could have won the previous elections is because Koike is former LDP.

Regardless actual support for Suga, Kono, and Aso, the Japanese public will either vote for them or not vote.

Lady holding a sign saying please social distance, literally no one doing it.

Taro Yamada (age 50) makes his way to the polling booth after his weekly pachinko binge. He sees his friend, Jiro Tanaka (age 60). Taro: Who do you support, old bean ? Jiro: 自民党.

Taro: Why ?

Jiro: For some reason, shouganai.

Taro: My son just stays home all day, so maybe he also thinks it is shouganai ?

It's all rigged anyway, do you you think your vote or your wife's vote or your neighbours vote counts, or is counted , lol ask anyone with half a brain cell ? How in the hell do you think this lot got in for crying out loud ?

There is no way to get rid of them either .....................................it's all controlled, rigged, a scam, scheme, a joke , or some other thing you are not in on.............

Ok things a getting strange.

Setagaya ward voted JCP in.

Seriously one of the richer wards voted communist party!

AntiquesavingToday  09:07 pm JST

Ok things a getting strange.

Setagaya ward voted JCP in.

Seriously one of the richer wards voted communist party!

Might be because of the JCP's opposition to revising Art. 9.

gogogoToday  06:25 pm JST

Lady holding a sign saying please social distance, literally no one doing it.

Great observation!

Also, she should be avoiding crowds to begin with.

zichiJuly 4  01:48 pm JST

In Britain, only Brits can vote. No Japanese or other foreigners.

Incorrect.

https://politics.stackexchange.com/questions/19673/what-is-the-rationale-for-allowing-irish-and-commonwealth-citizens-to-vote-in-ge#

This time was no exciting election

The vote rate was the worst more than thus far !!

But this article has no mention a shame !!

It is placed down to 51% degree !!

Most abstaining lamentable !!

Although I voted !!

All has been deprived any sole by smartphone & face mask !!

Satisfy on the net only for theJapanese situation means!!

To our Japanese voters

It was a very important voting day but you made missing it out again !!

Likeminded English user folks even here in Japan

Against this situation , informing very very vulnerable !!

Final result coming up shortly .

As a result no achieved any party as expected .

This message board is confusing very well . Because even PR Visa holder can’t vote in Japan ever .

And therefore sectarian point of view has got too much in this stream .