Japan braces for election-day typhoon rain

Good news for Komeito. The Soka Gakkai will be out no matter what the weather.

A typhoon is expected to lash Japan with heavy rains Sunday, potentially weighing on turnout as millions of voters head to the polls in the world's third-biggest economy.

And if Abe gets reelected with an overwhelming majority, expect an even bigger and more destructive typhoon to remain for years to come

gaijinpapa: "Good news for Komeito. The Soka Gakkai will be out no matter what the weather."

And? That's called dedication. If you stay home and forfeit your right to vote because of a little rain (or a lot, even), it's just plain laziness. All you're saying is that they are a devoted and hard working folk.

Besides, it won't just be Komeito voters out there, the ultra-right will guaranteed get out there and vote for Abe because they want the revisions he promises. AND, in areas where there is no representation for the aforementioned Komeito, you'll still see a strong showing for the LDP candidate since they are in coalition (something I disagree with and have had serious arguments with Komeito people about).

As to the early voting and what not in general, I'm sorry, but if even a few people are kept from voting because of rain -- and I'm talking polling stations being closed or people prevented from getting to the stations because of typhoon related closures, forced work, or what have you -- the results should be questions regardless of which way they go. You can't say, "Go early!" and expect everyone to take a paid holiday (if they have them) to go vote if they are only able to go on Sunday. This is a snap election to begin with -- if the weather is such that they basically "cancel" voting in a number of places, those places and the nations should have to extend the deadline, not people accommodating the election instead.

They should start thinking about online voting TBH, 50% turnout is a joke and bordering on illegitimate

The mass media has already projected a landslide, so people may be more than ever inclined to stay at home in the event of heavy wind and rain.

probably 60% or more dont go voting anyway, doesnt matter if rain, sunshine or no more beer at home.

But thank you for pointing out multiple times "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appealed to voters ..." - the LDP propaganda continues.

Funny thing the "pollsters" can not put their finger on yet is the huge increase in people who are voting early.

I have never voted. Don’t see the point in a one party state.

They should start thinking about online voting TBH,

In japan? On systems run by XP?

Lashing? Pretty sure these old men can't take a "Lashing" no matter how much the are yearning a "lashing"

Any debate in Japan about compulsory voting? Australian election turnouts typically run at 90%+. The last federal election in 2013 had a turnout of 93%. Just curious.

thepersoniamnow - I have never voted. Don’t see the point in a one party state.

Yeah, you and the other 50% of the population. What a bloody disgrace! You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Every one of you will complain about the one party state, but you won't do anything about it. Perhaps they should create another political party and call it, the Apathy Party. That's 50% of the votes! You'd win!

Bloody disgrace huh? And if I vote in a way you don’t like I suppose you would have something to say about that to? I am not ashamed of myself, I did really well this month and am gunna have a great 2018.

@Disillusioned I agree with thepersoniamnow. Voting is a waste of time. All sides of politics are part of the same old boys club (most countries are the same in this) By voting you are adding legitimacy to a system that is obviously corrupt. If everyone did the same then maybe just maybe we might actually see some kind of actual changes. Best to ignore politicians in the same way they ignore us IMO.

Smith , I wasn’t saying it was bad.

Yes, people who don’t vote are lazy.,

but now that you mention devotion...

you and I both know it’s more than devotion.

Lots of pressure around election time for Gakkai people.

and lots of phone calls from Gakkai people to their friends.

just saying, when normal people don’t go to vote because or rain or whatever, the Ikeda devotees clap their hands at their chance.

Lol vote? Why? Choice is between crap and shiny crap!!!! Democracy ei!?

Lol vote? Why? Choice is between crap and shiny crap!!!! Democracy ei!?

Yes, you sometimes have to vote for the party or candidate you dislike least.

Not a perfect system. Do you have any better ideas?

Its a sad day when rain decides Japan's future.

Bloody disgrace huh? And if I vote in a way you don’t like I suppose you would have something to say about that to? I am not ashamed of myself, I did really well this month and am gunna have a great 2018.

Justify it however you like. It's sad.

There are plenty of folks who live here who would love the opportunity to have a voice in the process. Not voting just means that you are all talk, and nothing else.

That's why the election was called. Because of the collapse of opposition after all. It's not like it needs 50% +1 by law like some countries. There's no runoff therefore no requirement to be cooperative.

People can get upset one way or another about voting or not, but the system is not capable of change. There's not a single unified party for change, those votes are wasted and split = LDP wins. Everyone who wants to vote for change can laugh and stay home = LDP wins. LDP voting in the countryside never changes = LDP wins. The calculus of the election was correct, and the LDP has taken advantage of it.

Welcome to your one party state with better marketing, full media control, full of rabbits

The only opposition that is possible would be a repudiation of any referendum vote on the constitution. Save your power for that. THAT is the vote to vote against. THAT one is a unified choice of yes or no. THAT one you can say no and it WILL MATTER. Save Article 9

I mean, at this rate it's not even a majority vote for the country. That being said given some of the work that's done it can be hard for a lot of people to go to the polling stations, however it's still really bad that almost a majority cannot vote.

Yubaru

No, not voting does not mean I am ALL (all talk and sad as you said) one thing and not another.

Now you know me and can label me?

It simply means I operate differently and probably come from a different generation than you do.