Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites First) aims to reach undecided voters in this summer's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election using social media, Hirotada Ototake, adviser to the regional political party, said in a recent interview.

"Through social media outreach, we want to become an option for unaffiliated voters who have not decided for whom to vote" in the June 22 race, said Ototake, who is in charge of social media strategy for Tomin First.

"Tomin First thoroughly checks whether the information it sends out is accurate," he said, adding that "users also should be aware of the need to check whether information is true."

The comments came after slander and disinformation on social media were a major issue during last year's Tokyo and Hyogo gubernatorial elections.

Tomin First, for which Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike serves as special adviser, uses YouTube to explain its policies and streamline videos featuring the governor.

"More people are getting the impression that exchanges on social media are unfriendly and are scared to mention politics," Ototake said.

"We want to convey that Tomin First is ready to have constructive debates even with people who have different ideas," in order to win the support of unaffiliated voters, he said.

Social media is gaining influence in national elections as well, with the opposition Democratic Party for the People boosting its seat share in last year's general election by effectively utilizing it.

Through social media, "we will present freshness and stability, and show that we have achieved policies for Tokyo residents," Ototake said of Tomin First.

He said that Tomin First will focus on policies to differentiate itself with a new political party founded by Shinji Ishimaru, who came second in last year's Tokyo gubernatorial race.

"What we want to present is policies, so we are the opposite of Ishimaru's new party," Ototake said after Ishimaru refused to outline his party's policies in a news conference earlier this month.