Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Tokyo gubernatorial election, scheduled for July 7th, has taken an audacious turn this year. Campaign posters, a common sight on panels across Japan, have been marred by individuals who have dared to mock politics or display adult entertainment ads, all in the name of free expression.

KAWAI Yusuke, a former Soka City council member in Saitama Prefecture, has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his appearance and election posters. Kawai, who claims to lead the ‘Joker Councilors and the Association to Increase Voter Turnout,’ has used makeup to portray himself as The Joker (or clown) from the Batman movies.

His posters, steeped in satire, take aim at Japanese politics and society. One advocates for men’s rights and suggests, ‘Instead of boosting youth voter turnout, let’s lower the participation of older citizens. We should revoke voting rights for those over 65.’ Another poster proposes, ‘Let’s progress towards a society where men can freely wear makeup. Let’s create powder rooms for men.’ One poster features his girlfriend, MIU Sakurai, in a provocative pose with the slogan ‘Stop curbing freedom of expression.’ The police have issued a warning and ordered its removal. 

The Tokyo Metropolitan Election Commission has been inundated with a deluge of complaints from furious people who considered such posters “shameful.” However, the Public Offices Election Act only states that the boards are intended for election campaigns, with no clause to specify what cannot be posted. 

According to the Public Offices Election Law, the authorities responsible for investigations have the discretion to determine whether or not to penalize those who exploit the system, underscoring the potential legal consequences of such actions.