Japan Cracks Down on Inappropriate Campaign Tactics with New Election Law

Japan Enacts New Election Law to Curb Inappropriate Campaign Tactics

Japan's parliament has enacted a new law aimed at preventing candidates from using inappropriate tactics during elections. The legislation specifically targets the use of scantily clad women in campaign posters, a practice that has raised concerns about the exploitation of women and the undermining of the electoral process.

The revised public offices election law will take effect in June, just in time for the Tokyo metropolitan assembly vote and the House of Councillors race. The law also addresses the issue of "two-horsepower" candidacies, where candidates use their own resources to help another candidate win. Additionally, it seeks to combat the spread of false information on social media.

Under the new law, campaign posters must not contain content that harms the reputation or dignity of other individuals or political parties. They must also clearly display the names of the candidates. Anyone who uses a poster to advertise a specific product will face a fine of up to 1 million yen ($6,670).

The legislation was prompted by concerns raised during the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial race, where many candidates seemed to be primarily interested in gaining fame through campaign debates and posters. The new law aims to ensure that future elections are conducted fairly and with integrity.

The ruling and opposition parties are still debating how to regulate the spread of false information on social media and the use of "two-horsepower" candidacies. They are cautious about restricting freedom of expression, but also recognize the need to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.