Today, July 1st is a day that was held the first election in Japan in 1890. At that time, the vote right was very limited same as other countries. Over twenty-five-year old men who pay certain amount of tax were allowed to vote. The number of people who could take part in the election was only one percent of the entire population. After about 30 years, over 25 years old men were allowed to participate in the election. That increased the number of participation about four times. Although men have had rights for vote gradually, women could not get it until 1945: after the Second World War. As an establishment of the law, all men and women who are over twenty years have rights to participate in election.
Recently, young people do not participate in vote. Main reasons for it is just politics does not attract them or just they do not want to go. I have heard that the rate of voting of young people is lower than the rate of old people’s. I think it is a very serious problem, which we have to solve quickly. Although it looks very small and unable to change the politics, it is important to participate in the politics. Now Japanese government is planning to change the age that can vote from twenty to eighteen. I think it is good to give opportunities to many people. However, I think the government should give educational opportunities for children. If children are interested in the politics, they will participate in election when they are allowed to vote. It takes about sixty years to get equal right of voting. We should find way how to make election that is more attractive.
He is Japanese prime minister.
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2006/japan.decides/
2 件のコメント:
Reiko,
Very interesting blog on voting rights in Japan. Did you know that our youngest group of voters, age 18-25 have an extremely poor voting record? For example in the last election (2004), only 60% are registered to vote and only 42% vote.
I'm not sure why the young are so apathetic when voting is concerned. Perhaps if a younger candidate (e.g. Barack Obama) wins the Democratic nomination, young people will be stimulated to vote.
I was surprised to hear that the voting % for young people in Japan is low as well. . .
Thanks for posting.
Michael
Hi Rekio, It is interesting blog. The young people careless for political things, it is all over the world. Also, I don’t blame these teenagers if they don’t vote for elections. The politics if we thing about it is a nasty field. The only they cover is hating things like war, kill, crimes. In my opinion, these guys have the right to don’t vote. If I were them, I would do the same things. Thank you Rekio for telling us about the young people in your great country, Japan.
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