Latest news with #TokyoElection
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Media firms launch election fact-checking initiative
Jiji Press and some other members of the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association have launched a fact-checking initiative for election-related online information, beginning with the Tokyo metropolitan assembly election on June 22. The collaboration between Jiji Press, the Yomiuri Shimbun group, Saga Shimbun and Nippon Television Network aims to enhance the fairness and credibility of fact-checking work and disseminate accurate information broadly. The initiative will examine uncertain information pieces that could affect the fair holding of elections and assess them as "correct," "almost correct," "groundless," "incorrect" or "false." Assessment results could be published by participating media companies. Opinion pieces will not be covered. The four media companies will cooperate with the nonprofit Japan Fact-check Center. They will also invite other media companies to participate.
Japan Times
28-05-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Tokyo installs extra-large campaign boards ahead of metropolitan assembly vote
With less than a month to go before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on June 22, municipalities across the capital have begun setting up large poster boards to accommodate a potential surge in candidates. In some areas, boards with up to 70 slots are being installed, a move also intended to prepare for the House of Councilors election that will follow shortly after. The initiative comes in response to last year's record-setting Tokyo gubernatorial election, which saw an unprecedented 56 candidates vying for office. Many local governments had prepared boards with just 48 slots, forcing late filers to resort to posting their campaign posters materials outside the designated space using plastic folders and thumbtacks — an unusual and improvised solution. 'In the current climate, it's difficult to predict how many candidates will run,' said one municipal official. According to the Election Administration Commission, the last time the metropolitan assembly and Upper House elections overlapped — in 2013 — the maximum number of slots provided by any local government was 30. But with a steady rise in candidates and the emergence of new political parties, the Tokyo government issued updated guidance in March recommending boards with around 72 slots for dual use in both elections. While the layout and installation of the boards are left to each municipality's discretion, some are taking cost-saving measures. Suginami Ward has adopted the suggested 72-slot format and added a separate lightweight overlay with 27 slots for the Tokyo assembly race, leaving a large blank space around it. After the local election concludes, the overlay will be removed. In Shibuya Ward, officials have opted to overlay the right side of the larger House of Councilors board with plywood tailored to the Tokyo assembly election. To avoid voter confusion, the unused portion of the board will be concealed during the local campaign period. Due to site constraints, Shibuya can only accommodate 64 slots, but plans to add an extra row if candidate numbers exceed expectations. This year's assembly race will also mark the first application of revised rules under the public offices election act requiring candidates to maintain the decency of their posters. The Election Administration Commission is ramping up efforts to publicize the changes and alert candidates to the new standards. The legislation follows a rare show of unity between ruling and opposition parties, prompted by incidents during last summer's Tokyo gubernatorial race in which some public bulletin boards were marred by posters unrelated to the election. Concerns over the integrity of elections have grown amid the spread of fake and misleading information on social media. Authorities have also been alarmed by the emergence of so-called "double horsepower" campaigns, in which individuals run for office without any real intention of winning, instead seeking to drum up support for another candidate. Translated by The Japan Times
Japan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
More than 270 candidates to run in Tokyo assembly election
Over 270 people are expected to run in the June 22 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election as of Wednesday, likely hitting the highest number in decades. The focus of the election will be whether the Liberal Democratic Party can remain the biggest force in the 127-seat assembly or whether Tomin First no Kai will take back the top slot. As many parties consider the poll a precursor to this summer's election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of parliament, they treat the Tokyo race like a national election. The LDP, which holds 30 seats in the Tokyo assembly, will put up 42 candidates. In addition, six former and current assembly members involved in the LDP's political funds scandals plan to run as non-LDP candidates. In the 2017 poll, the LDP gained 23 seats, its all-time low in a Tokyo assembly election. Some expect that the LDP to struggle this time again due to a public backlash over the money scandals and weak public support for the national administration of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the LDP's president. Komeito, which has 23 seats, hopes to field 22 candidates, aiming to win seats for all of its candidates for the ninth consecutive time. Tomin First, with 26, seats has announced plans to set up 37 candidates. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike serves as special adviser for the regional party. Recently, Koike has been advertising her ties with the party by appearing in its YouTube videos and attending a meeting of prospective election candidates. Asked about her possible involvement in next month's election, Koike told a news conference Friday, "I'll support candidates who would propel (the Tokyo government) forward under (my vision of) 'Grand Reform of Tokyo.'" The Japanese Communist Party, which has 19 seats, will put up 24 candidates, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan with 12 seats will endorse 21 individuals. Nippon Ishin no Kai plans to field six candidates, while a regional party called Tokyo Seikatsusha Network will have three. Both hold one seat. Another key point is how the Democratic Party for the People and other parties without any presence in the assembly will fare in the race. The DPP plans to field 18 candidates. A senior official from its Tokyo branch says that the party aims to secure 11 seats, which would enable the it to submit draft ordinances single-handedly. Reiwa Shinsengumi plans to put up three candidates, Sanseito four, and the Social Democratic Party one. The Path to Rebirth plans to field 42 candidates. The regional party was established this year by Shinji Ishimaru, who finished runner-up in last year's Tokyo gubernatorial race behind Koike. Over 50 other people have also voiced plans to run in the assembly election.
