2026 POLLS: Tax, Inflation Most Common Topics in Social Media Posts

Tokyo, Jan. 27 (Jiji Press)–Consumption tax and rising prices were the most frequently mentioned issues on social media ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives election, an analysis by Jiji Press has found. Posts made on X, formerly Twitter, between Jan. 9–when the possibility of a snap election for the lower chamber of the Diet, Japan’s parliament, was first reported–and Sunday were assessed using social media analytics tool Brandwatch. Political parties are paying close attention to social media trends, as online public opinion appeared to have played a role in shaping the debate in last year’s election for the House of Councillors, the upper chamber. Of some 850,000 posts, including reposts, spanning nine policy areas and containing keywords such as “House of Representatives” and “dissolution (of the Lower House) and general election,” the policy area of consumption tax and rising prices was mentioned most, in some 330,000 posts, over the 17-day period. It was followed by the area of politics and money, including a high-profile slush funds scandal involving members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the issue of political donations by corporations and other organizations, at about 220,000 posts, and by the area of national security, including defense capabilities and Japan’s three nonnuclear principles, at around 140,000 posts. The number of posts about consumption tax spiked after news reports that the LDP, which had been reluctant to adopt a tax reduction, would include in its election pledges a proposal to cut the 8 pct consumption tax on food to zero for a limited time. While some posts praised the shift, others questioned its consistency with LDP leader and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s past remark that it would take time to update cash registers. There were also posts supporting and criticizing the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance’s pledge of a permanent reduction of the consumption tax on food to zero. In the field of money and politics, some X users criticized the LDP’s decision to allow candidates involved in the slush funds scandal to stand for both constituency and proportional representation seats, arguing that the party is making fun of voters. Policy issues regarding foreign citizens in Japan were the most commonly mentioned area on social media in the lead-up to last year’s Upper House race, as Sanseito attracted attention over its policy pledges on the matter. This prompted other parties to add related measures to their pledges, and the area was hotly debated in the latter half of the campaign period. The focus of the upcoming election may also shift based on social media trends. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]