Have you ever wondered how elections and political campaigns work in Japan? What are the differences between Brazil's political campaigns and elections with Japan? In this article, we're going to dig deep and understand a little about Japan's politics and its differences with Brazil.
We previously wrote an article talking about how does the government work in japan. In short, Japan is a constitutional monarchy with an Emperor serving as its symbol, a head of government (prime minister) and other ministers of state.
Currently voting in elections in Japan is optional (not mandatory) and is limited to Japanese citizens. Unfortunately in Brazil, voting is mandatory, in addition to having that rush and expenses with voter registration and electoral court, something that does not exist in Japan. Now that you are aware of that, let's talk a little about the political situation in each country.
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How do elections work in Japan?
As in Brazil, regional and national elections take place. Regional or provincial elections in Japan are called Chihou Senkyo [地方選挙] while national elections are called Kokusei Senkyo [国政選挙]. Elections usually take place on Sunday from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
In Japan, electronic voting machines are not used, they prefer to use the traditional voting system to avoid fraud. There are no numbers, voters must write the candidate's name legibly and put it in the ballot box. Although there are counting machines, votes are usually done manually in some provinces, with the results on the day.
As there is no voter registration, the Japanese receive a letter with proof, but they can also use their documents if they want to vote but don't have proof. Senkyoken [選挙権] refers to the right to vote.
A corruption in japan is very low, the country is in the 20th position in the ranking of least corrupt countries in the world. Brazil is in 96th position. During election campaigns in Japan, candidates often wear a white sash with their name and a glove with their party's name. The glove is white to represent purity, without corruption.
The problem of Japanese elections and political campaigns
Apparently the Japanese don't have many problems in their political circle. There are no free election times or distribution of annoying pamphlets like in Brazil. Until a few years ago, the presence of politics on the Internet was very low, since voting is not mandatory and few people waste time trying to convince others.
One of the things that can bother you in Japan is the marches in carts that candidates do in the city streets talking into a megaphone. These trucks are usually stopped in strategic places with a lot of access. In addition, politicians can hold rallies, newspaper advertisements, or do word of mouth.
Despite Japan being a country with a lot of visual pollution, it is not so common to find posters of politicians, but they do exist in some strategic places. Candidates cannot visit people and ask for votes.
Another negative thing (or not), is that candidates need to pay a glove (advance payment) to the electoral authorities to participate in the election. If they reach more than 10% of the total votes they get their money back, otherwise they lose all their money.
For municipal offices the payment can reach up to 600,000 yen, while in parliament the amounts reach 3,000,000 yen and even 6,000,000. This strategy is used to avoid a huge number of candidates and those famous small parties that exist in Brazil.
Japan's political parties
Japan has several parties, the main ones being the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD) which is currently in power and also the Democratic Party of Japan (PDJ) which was in power in the 90's. Below we will list all the Japanese parties in order of popularity:
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP);
- Democratic Party of Japan (PDJ);
- Constitutional Democratic Party;
- Party of Hope;
- New Komeito (NPK);
- Communist Party (PCJ);
- Japan Innovation Party;
- Social Democratic Party (PSD);
- Happiness Achievement Party;
- Party of the Smile;
There must be other parties, the last one on the list called the Smile Party is composed only of a member and founder called Mac Akasaka who usually appears with an extravagant look. He has appeared only in his underwear or wearing strange clothes as a superhero cosplay.
That's right, Japan also has a communist party that manages to maintain a vote average above 5%. One of its objectives is One of the main objectives of the is to end the treaty of mutual military cooperation between Japan and the United States. News circulated on the internet years ago saying that the PCJ is growing, I think it's a big exaggeration.
The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:
The problem of Brazilian elections and political campaigns
One of the most absurd things I know is Brazilian politics and elections. For personal reasons I don't even want or can get involved in politics, so I'll try to be 100% neutral, although I confess that my thoughts are a little right-wing. I am currently stunned by issues on social media and TV involving politics.
Apparently all Brazilian political campaigns both on television and on the Internet have been designed to denigrate and attack another candidate. People choose their sides through false information, widespread information, or just upholding some ideal or principle, ignoring all other problems in the nation.
Some make giant texts on social media wanting to show that they understand politics, but in fact they write all the text just to criticize a candidate. The internet is currently summarized as the left destroyed the country and a candidate called a racist, who will turn Brazil into a military dictatorship. Politics and Lie today is practically the same word.
First, that thieves are not limited to just one party or side! It doesn't matter if it's left or right, Brazil will continue sinking if there are no drastic changes in laws and justice as it was done in Singapore and Japan at some point in their history. But who am I to opine? Many seem to be happy with the little that has been done in these decades...
No matter the circumstances, Brazilians still insist on defending bad guys or using the mistakes of others to diminish their candidate's.
This is just the basics anyway, we still haven't talked about the policy papers and pamphlets that litter the streets at election times and on election day. Not to mention the advertisements and election time on television. I don't even need to go into details about our country's policies, everyone is already aware.
What do we learn from the elections in Japan and Brazil?
Japan's political system is not so different from Brazil or the world. Fortunately, Japan does not force people to vote, nor does it tolerate disorder or corruption in its country. If an act of corruption occurs and it is discovered, the person must apologize publicly and could be arrested and lost his position.
Unfortunately in Brazil politicians steal in our face and still advertise it. I laugh when I see an advertisement on television of a politician talking about the thefts of others, or people on social media trying to defend their candidate from corruption through name-calling or accusations from the enemy side.
Did you know these details of Japanese election campaigns and politics? Hope you enjoyed this article, we are happy if you share it with friends and leave your comments. Also read our other article about japan policy.
