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The election for governor of Chiba prefecture, in which eight newcomers fought, the largest number in history, was voted on the 21st. What attracted attention on the Internet was the battle of candidates called “independents” who did not receive the support of existing political parties. There are also candidates who want to raise their name with “good cost performance” by making full use of SNS like YouTube and Twitter. On the other hand, the new election campaign is controversial, with some candidates inundated with complaints about the content of the complaint. (Digital Editorial Department, Yoshito Miwa)
Yusuke Kawai performing in front of the Tokyo Disney Resort = 18 in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture
◆ Weapon is “Political Broadcasting”
“Wow, he’s a joker” “Let’s take a picture.” On the night of the 18th, high school students held their smartphones in front of JR Kaihin Makuhari station with Yusuke Kawai (40), president of the event management company and YouTuber. Kawai, who painted her face white as a clown, then performed her original song and dance. He yelled, “Please spread the word on social media.”
Political broadcasts are a valuable opportunity for candidates without the systematic support of political parties. On television, it aired on NHK General TV and Chiba TV. Mr. Kawai made two types and finished them with completely different content.
The first broadcast was NHK. Kawai is a top hitter and appears in whitewashed makeup. Under the motto “Make the entire Chiba prefecture a Disneyland”, Kujukuri Beach was called DisneySea, and we proposed a unique city that would make people come to dates.
Mr. Kawai giving a speech in front of JR Kaihin Makuhari Station = 18
In the prefecture, he has announced promises like paraphrasing the garbage into “star shards” and “turning JR Makuhari station into one.” Makuhari Messe is not here “station”, as a conte. “Anyone can make a strange voice or take off their clothes to stand out. I did something that was made to be fun, so I want you to see that even if you look strange, you are smart.” Kawai, who also has a background as a comedian, called the political broadcast a “story.”
After the broadcast on Mokuromi-dori, it became a hot topic on SNS and the internet. A 16-year-old high school student who took a photo with Mr. Kawai said: “I watched the political broadcast online and politics came to mind. I saw other candidates, but they didn’t make it through.”
In this political broadcast, there were several candidates who made surprising statements and expressions, such as revealing a proposed plan to Governor Yuriko Koike of Tokyo. One of the reasons radical-seeming content is encouraged is that some people think of elections as a “high-cost performance” as a new way to promote themselves.
Chiba Governor Election with a Variety of Candidates
As a general rule, political broadcasts are not edited and are broadcast as is. After that, the candidate publishes on his YouTube channel and spreads on social networks such as Twitter. Speaking of Mr. Kawai, the videos related to the political broadcast have been played 100,000 times in total (as of 10:00 am on the 21st). Ad revenue will be generated according to the number of views, and if the number of followers increases, it will lead to future activities. If you “burn” and attract enthusiastic supporters, it will help you collect donations.
The deposit required to run for the governor’s election is 3 million yen and will be confiscated if one-tenth of the total number of valid votes cannot be obtained. However, it is cheap when you consider it an advertising expense, including the TV streaming frame. Kawai says, “I think it has an advertising effect of hundreds of millions of yen. It is exceptional.”
◆ Political activity or publicity stunt
On the other hand, the electoral administration committee of the prefecture received a series of complaints about the political broadcasts of each candidate. According to the secretariat, about 50 cases have been received, such as “Is it okay to use taxes to do whatever you want?” And “I’m ashamed as a citizen of the prefecture.” Mr. Kawai doesn’t care: “It’s legal because you have the right to be elected and you have freedom of thought and belief. You can have various opinions. There are only positive opinions on the Internet.”
Become a “llama”, increase your following and become a celebrity. Teruki Goto (38), who fought in the electoral campaign as a representative of political groups from various factions, warns against such a radical action. He is a celebrity in the election zone who appealed for freedom of speech almost naked in the political broadcast of the election of the governor of Tokyo last year.
Mr. Goto made a public proposal to “Chinatsu-san” and it became a hot topic in this political broadcast. “I say so, but I firmly deny those who are playful or with the purpose of selling their name. I don’t want them to increase ”, he emphasizes. He says he is firmly plagued by the claims he wants to convey, saying: “It may be a single sheet of paper, but it makes a big difference. If more people find it unpleasant, elections and political broadcasts may be regulated. They will be strangled. “. . ”
Teruki Goto, who cautions about the trend of political broadcasting = 19, in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture
It is said that Mr. Kawai is also pointed out that it may be a publicity stunt. “It is practically difficult to win this election, except for Toshihito Kumagai. He looks to the future. What’s wrong with raising his name?” On the last day of the election campaign, a live performance was held in front of JR Shibuya Station in Tokyo instead of Chiba, ending the 17-day election campaign.
◆ Flood of criticism “Vaccine danger”
In addition, the cartels received more complaints than the political broadcasts. Masayuki Hiratsuka (39), representative of political groups of various denominations, complained about the “danger of wearing a crown vaccine and a mask” and put “vaccine danger” in larger letters than the name on the poster.
More than 100 complaints and inquiries have reached the prefectural jurisdiction, such as “I see children near elementary school. I am agitated with anxiety” and “Would you like to give strict guidance?”
In response to the criticism, Mr. Hiratsuka argued: “The media has simply brainwashed him, because there are people who have joined pharmaceutical companies and people who have interests in vaccines.” “I do not want to be contrary, I want to save my life. I am providing the people of Chiba with the material to make a decision,” he emphasizes.
Mr. Masayuki Hiratsuka giving a speech = 19 at JR Kashiwa Station
Regarding the masks, he said: “Actually, there are a lot of people who don’t like them, and I really don’t want to wear them and I don’t want to get vaccinated. The reaction on the street is good.”
On the night of the 19th at the end of the election campaign, some people gave a speech on the street in front of JR Kashiwa Station and stopped and listened on the way home. About 30 supporters have gathered, and of course they are not wearing masks. Some people have the flag of former President Trump of the United States, who made statements that disrespected Corona. When Mr. Hiratsuka yelled, “Masks are bad for you. Let’s take off the masks,” he said, “Yes!”
Supporters held their smartphones and recorded live broadcasts and videos. At least 10 units were confirmed. Video sites like YouTube are now indispensable to expanding support. SNS is also a powerful electoral tool, announcing the place and time of speeches, soliciting donations, etc.
Supporters gathered for Masayuki Hiratsuka = 19’s speech at JR Kashiwa Station
However, Mr. Hiratsuka is in the exact opposite position to that of the government and the World Health Organization (WHO) calling for vaccination. Mr. Hiratsuka’s political broadcast video and YouTube account were deemed to have “violated the terms of service” and were removed one after the other. The number of deleted accounts is said to exceed 70. “That doesn’t change the claim, of course,” he said.
According to prefectural elections, 10 years ago, when smartphones weren’t as popular, there were few complaints about the content of posters and political broadcasts. The manager feels that he has entered a new era.
This year, we will abstain from the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and the House of Representatives election. “I think elections using prefectural taxes will be a stepping stone,” said an election official. Some candidates actually looked towards the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election and future elections.
Professor Kenta Yamada (right of speech) from Senshu University considers that “what kind of expression is allowed when the ban on online elections is lifted” is one of the questions, based on the premise of guaranteed freedom of expression by the Constitution. “Political broadcasts are based on ad hoc broadcasts and are not expected to be viewed repeatedly on video sites. Now that new tools like SNS have appeared, there may be calls for discussion.”
