Concerns Spread in Snowy Areas over Wintertime Election

Tokyo, Jan. 18 (Jiji Press)–People in snowy regions in Japan are concerned about a snap election for the House of Representatives that is likely to be held on Feb. 8, in the middle of winter. It will be the first general election held so soon after the start of a new year in 36 years. The official campaign period for the anticipated election is expected to begin on Jan. 27. In these regions, people are worried that it may be difficult to visit polling stations safely. Some fear that these challenges may reduce voter turnout. In Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, the average temperature tends to fall below zero degrees Celsius from January to February, when snow is piled up high on sidewalks with few pedestrians. “We have to start (preparations for the election) by removing snow before setting up campaign posters,” said an official in charge of election affairs in the prefecture. But the official added, “There must be some places where we can’t set up posters.” Despite preparations such as setting up heaters and snow removing tools, the official said, “Voter turnout is likely not to rise.” An Akita-based candidate of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party thinks it is difficult to give campaign speeches outdoors and plans to hold more indoor speeches. But the candidate added, “We can only hope that people will come to hear my (indoor) speeches.” As many supporters of the candidate are the elderly, a campaign official said, “We can’t completely rely on social media.” In the central prefecture of Ishikawa, Governor Hiroshi Hase stressed that the local government is “fully prepared” for the election, saying that over a thousand snowplows are ready to be operated. However, an official of the Ishikawa prefectural chapter of the Democratic Party for the People said, “We are hesitant to ask people to go to the polls amid heavy snow, especially those in areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake.” In areas hit by the quake, some residents are still living in temporary housing. Local governments plan to secure opportunities for people to vote, by deploying mobile venues for early voting. Masayo Tanabe, who heads the prefectural branch of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan in Aomori Prefecture, also northeastern Japan, criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s plan to hold a snap election this season. Tanabe said that the prime minister is ignoring snowy regions. There are concerns even within the LDP. “With the snowy weather, we can’t even give a stump speech,” said a campaign official in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido. “It will be extremely difficult to gather votes from independent voters.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]