●Nathan Shiga: October 24

It’s a shame. Are the Japanese less politically-minded that the Europeans? The turnout of voters in the latest general elections does show they are – Japan (53.68%) far behind France (74.56%) and Germany (76.2%). The trend is more conspicuous among the young voters.

53.68%. It’s the second lowest in the post-war years. Why so? A super typhoon afoot then was certainly responsible, yes, but what other motivations could have discouraged many to go to the polls? Here’s the outcome of a poll taken by the Hachi, Shibuya, the day after the election.

Housewives in the 30s and 40s commented:

“Not that we weren’t anxious to go the polls but happened to be out all morning. It was raining when we got home and just didn’t feel like going. A bit ashamed, though…”

A 26-year-old male from Kawasaki said his parents, living with him, had forced him to go the last time:

“But I’m living away from them now and felt not quite up to going to the polls – not knowing whom to vote for. Might go if I profited by going to the polls, though.”

A woman in her 20s working at an eating joint said:

“I was working from morning to midnight on the election day and didn’t even think of going for early voting.”

A college student, male, eligible to vote for the first time commented:

“I thought I didn’t have to go the polls as I don’t have trust in politics. It’s rather troublesome. too.”

Another male college student said:

“We had our campus festival that day. Could have voted if a polling booth had been installed in the campus.

Ten men, ten minds, indeed. It’s a shame just the same.

—Sponsered Link—