More celebrities in Japan have been seen making political comments or encouraging people to vote in Sunday’s Upper House election, an indication of change in the country where such expressions have long been taboo.
In the past, popular figures tended to be more cautious about speaking out politically due to fears of upsetting TV stations or their sponsors, as well as being conscious of the risk of losing fans with different political views.
So Takei, an athlete and TV personality who was criticized after commenting about a politician on TV, tweeted earlier this month: “We live in a democratic country. Politicians are not the only people who can talk about politics. We also can and we should.” He was retweeted over 18,000 times.
政治関連の言葉に、反対意見の人が攻撃的に『政治家やった事もないくせに、やってから言え！』みたいな的外れにも程がある反論が来る。政治家以外政治に触れたらいけない訳ないだろ。民主主義だぞ、政治は離れたとこにある偉い人のもんじゃねえ、政治は国民の生活の為にあり、我々自身が考えるものだよ
— 武井壮 (@sosotakei) July 8, 2019
Musical actor Yu Shirota, 33, said on Twitter, “It is a rule of the country we live in to choose the representatives by ourselves.” He also asked whether it is really necessary to raise the consumption tax, urging people to carefully check each party’s campaign pledges and policies.
そんな中で、今タイムリーに考えるべき問題の一つ”消費税”
何度増税を繰り返しても、一向に経済は人に優しくならない。それどころか、息苦しい思いをする人達が増える一方。それでも三度増税すべきか、否か。各政党の政策、公約を聞き、冷静に判断しなければならない。
ルールは、我々の投票で決まる。— Yu Shirota(城田優)🇯🇵🇪🇸 (@U_and_YOU) July 10, 2019
Kanji Furutachi, a 51-year-old actor who has frequently shared his views on politics and the Constitution, said: “Politics has become rigid as the voting rate remains around 50 percent. If it went over 70 percent, it could change (politics) drastically.”
おーい！今まで選挙に行かなかった有権者のみなさーん！今まで50%くらいの投票率で政治が硬直化してます。70%を超えたらガラッと変わると言われてます。その70%にする力になってもらえませんかー！みんなが行ったら変わる。みんなが行かなきゃ変わらない。行く？行かない？行くっきゃないじゃんねー！
— 古舘寛治Kanji Furutachi (@Mkandhi091) July 11, 2019
With 2.1 million Twitter followers, 20-year-old actress Kanna Hashimoto also encouraged people to vote. “I engaged in early voting this morning before work, because it’s about Japan, the country I live in,” Hashimoto wrote on Twitter. The tweet posted Monday was retweeted over 14,000 times and received 90,000 likes.
今日の朝、仕事前に期日前投票してきましたー！
自分が住んでる日本だもん。
積極的に参加していきたいね。— 橋本環奈 (@H_KANNA_0203) July 15, 2019
Sugizo, a guitarist who has played with rock bands Luna Sea and X Japan, showed his support for a particular candidate on Twitter and encouraged people to vote.
投票日まで１週間。主義主張は人それぞれ。違いを否定するつもりはありません。議論し合える事は素晴らしい。けれど“無関心”は賛成できない。全ての成人が社会にコミットすべき。世を変えるも自分。守るも自分。僕らは微力だけど無力ではない。政治に無関心でいられても無関係ではいられないから。SGZ
— SUGIZO (@SUGIZOofficial) July 14, 2019
“I will not deny different principles and opinions, because each person has his or her own views,” said Sugizo in his 50s. “But I cannot agree with political apathy because politics is related to everyone.” His tweet drew positive reactions from many of his fans who praised his comments as “brave.”
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