June 28, 2024
Japanese Communist Party Policy Commission Chair Yamazoe Taku (House of Councilors), at an open forum held for young adults on June 26 in the Diet building, proposed an 18-year-old right to be elected.
The Japan Youth Conference, a general incorporated association, hosted the event with participation of representatives from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, and the People’s Democratic Party in addition to JCP Yamazoe.
In response to a question from the moderator of the forum about “how to increase political involvement of young people,” Yamazoe replied, “By lowering the minimum age eligible to run for office to 18 is one idea.” Since all parties agreed on lowering the minimum age to stand as a candidate in elections, Yamazoe called for the implementation of the right to file candidacy at age 18 immediately after the July Upper House election.
Yamazoe cited the fact that the Ministry of Education urges high schools to restrict their students’ political activities and electioneering activities as another factor that discourages young adults from participating in politics. He stated, “It is the political side that is encroaching upon the constitutional right to freedom of thought and belief and preventing the younger generation from participating in politics,” and demanded that the Public Offices Election Act be revised.
Past related article:
> JCP Shiokawa on TV program calls for lowering age of suffrage to 18 [March 31, 2025]
The Japan Youth Conference, a general incorporated association, hosted the event with participation of representatives from the Liberal Democratic Party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, the “Nippon Ishin no Kai” party, and the People’s Democratic Party in addition to JCP Yamazoe.
In response to a question from the moderator of the forum about “how to increase political involvement of young people,” Yamazoe replied, “By lowering the minimum age eligible to run for office to 18 is one idea.” Since all parties agreed on lowering the minimum age to stand as a candidate in elections, Yamazoe called for the implementation of the right to file candidacy at age 18 immediately after the July Upper House election.
Yamazoe cited the fact that the Ministry of Education urges high schools to restrict their students’ political activities and electioneering activities as another factor that discourages young adults from participating in politics. He stated, “It is the political side that is encroaching upon the constitutional right to freedom of thought and belief and preventing the younger generation from participating in politics,” and demanded that the Public Offices Election Act be revised.
Past related article:
> JCP Shiokawa on TV program calls for lowering age of suffrage to 18 [March 31, 2025]
