My last post containing my observations about life in Tokyo was incorrect in one important respect. I had assumed that the disproportionate ratio of female to male candidates might be the result of women running for local offices and men for national positions in the Diet or upper house (House of Councillors). However, John was interested in the question and corrected my misapprehension. These two women are candidates in the June elections for national office. Indeed, the woman at the bottom of the poster is already a Communist Party member of the House of Councillors. Feminism and radicalism may not be quite as marginalized as I had suspected.
John also mentioned one of the peculiarities of Japanese electoral law. Leafleting homes is not permitted. This means that loudpeakers are much used: either standing in a busy public spcae (like the trio of men we saw outside the local station), or driving round the streets.
The rules may favour the governing Liberal Democratic Party which almost always has won elections ever since Japan's postwar democracy was established in 1947. Politics tends to be fought among factions of the party. Other parties may have a voice, but apparently very little power.
