Question from a reader:
Please tell me about internet communication during the House of Councillors election. I heard that candidates and supporters can freely communicate until July 19, but is social media also unrestricted? I also heard that communication is not allowed on the voting day, July 20. Is this compliant with the Public Office Election Law? I would appreciate your
detailed explanation. Thank you.
Background of the House of Councillors Election and Internet Communication
The rules for internet communication during the House of Councillors election reflect the recent changes in the media environment. Particularly with the spread of social networking services (SNS), candidates and supporters now have the means to directly convey their thoughts to voters. The Public Office Election Law imposes regulations on communication during the election period, but these regulations have been evolving year by year.
Freedom and Restrictions of Internet Communication
In the 2023 House of Councillors election, candidates and supporters can freely communicate information on the internet until July 19. During this period, it is encouraged to use SNS to promote their policies and visions. Specifically, this includes posts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. However, on the voting day, July 20, conducting election campaigns is legally prohibited. This measure is in place to maintain the fairness of the election. Therefore, caution is required regarding the content communicated on the voting day. According to Article 142 of the Public Office Election Law, communication aimed at election campaigning is not allowed, so candidates and their supporters need to be vigilant.
Relationship Between the Public Office Election Law and SNS
The Public Office Election Law is established to prevent misconduct in election campaigns. This law also applies to communications made via SNS. For example, content supporting specific candidates or attacking other candidates falls under election campaigning and must be limited to before July 19, the day before the voting day. As SNS continues to develop, the flow of information in election campaigns is accelerating, but this also increases the risk of the spread of false information and misleading data. Therefore, candidates and supporters have a responsibility to provide accurate information.
Candidates and Media Strategy
In the House of Councillors election, having an effective media strategy is crucial for candidates to communicate effectively. Since younger generations utilize SNS, approaching them is essential. Candidates are required to clarify their values and policies and to deliver appropriate content to their target audience. For instance, candidates can increase their relatability and gain support by posting stories related to their policies or providing real-time answers to questions from followers. Additionally, engaging content or posts that incorporate humor can also attract the interest of followers.
Economic Aspects of the Industry and the Impact of Elections
In the entertainment industry, the results of elections can have direct economic impacts. Changes in government policies or budget allocations can affect investments in the entertainment sector. What cultural policies candidates advocate is an important factor for industry stakeholders. Therefore, candidates need to deepen their understanding of the entertainment industry when proposing policies. Moreover, how candidates engage with people in the entertainment industry is also significant. For example, if well-known entertainers or creators support a specific candidate, it can enhance that candidate’s recognition. Conversely, losing such support can have immeasurable consequences.
The Role of the Internet in Future Elections
In future elections, the role of the internet is expected to become increasingly important. Particularly with the rise of younger voters, the style of information dissemination and communication using SNS will be key to election strategies. Additionally, in international comparisons, cases where SNS has become central to election strategies are increasing in the U.S. presidential elections and elections in other countries. Japan is also following this trend, with more candidates actively utilizing SNS.
Practical Advice and Summary
As discussed, internet communication in the House of Councillors election is a very important element for candidates and supporters. Here are some practical pieces of advice: 1. Communicate accurate information: Be cautious about your communication content, as there is a risk of spreading false information. 2. Understand your target audience: Clearly identify your support base and create content tailored to that group. 3. Utilize humor: Posts that incorporate interesting stories or humor can attract followers’ interest. 4. Collaborate with the entertainment sector: Strategies that involve collaboration with well-known entertainers or creators can effectively increase recognition. 5. Keep an eye on future trends: Continuously track new trends arising from the evolution of SNS and the internet, and maintain a flexible approach. Thus, the rules and strategies for communication in the House of Councillors election are deeply intertwined with the entertainment industry and will continue to be an important factor in future election activities. I hope readers can use this information to deepen their own thoughts. Please feel free to share your opinions and impressions about the election.
