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Matcha ice cream used to encourage young people to vote in upcoming election

9 Comments
By Oona McGee, RocketNews24

Following the revision of an election law earlier last month, Japan’s minimum voting age was officially dropped from 20 to 18, making the July 10 Upper House election the first ever to include teenage voters. While political parties are utilising social media to connect with the new demographic, one local business is taking a more direct approach, encouraging first-time voters to take an interest in the future of their country by offering a discount on matcha ice cream.

Customers who show a proof-of-voting form received after voting on election day will receive a soft-serve matcha ice cream cone for a 200-yen-discounted price of 100 yen.

The special campaign is being offered by 155-year-old traditional tea-making brand Tsujiri, which will be providing the discount to customers at their Uomachi, Kyomachi and Colette stores in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture. The deal is part of a much wider initiative being organised by the Wakazo Corporation (“Youth Corporation”), who will be implementing the “Senkyo Wari“, or “Election Discount” campaign this year. Following their initial success in 2012 arranging discounts and specials for voters in a number of local areas, the campaign will be back again in full force this year, appealing to an even larger group that includes an estimated 2.4 million new teenage voters.

Discounts this year are to be redeemed within a two-week period, from the day of the election on July 10 until July 24.

Approximately 211 discounts were made available during unified local elections last year, covering everything from food and drinks to fashion, beauty treatments and even car tire services. While the 2015 campaign was offered to voters in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Shimane, Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures, the list of participating stores and areas for 2016 are yet to be updated on the official campaign website.

The promotion may be marketed to young first-time voters, but with no upper age-limit for redemption of discounts, we imagine there will be plenty of happy voters around the country this summer.

Source: Hamusoku

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- Japanese government releases SUPER weird promo ad to attract young voters【Video】 -- Little sister anime star grows up, becomes spokesmodel for Japan’s teen voter education campaign -- Sadako & Kayako want your vote for the ghost with the most

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9 Comments
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New government approved textbooks Several years later lowered voting age = Matcha Ice Cream

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Is it just me, but why does this so-called promotion seem condescending as hell. It's a pretty screwed up system that has to get private enterprises bribing people to vote.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If it works, don't knock it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Japan does not need gimmicks. It needs an education system that teaches about current political events and politicians so as to foster interest and allow young people to actually know what and who they are voting for.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan does not need gimmicks. It needs an education system that teaches about current political events and politicians so as to foster interest and allow young people to actually know what and who they are voting for.

Yup. Japan is full of gimmicks tailored to whichever groups being sought. Worse, the people expect them.

HS Seniors should be getting a taste of politics, gov, economics and current events affecting the global community.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It needs an education system that teaches about current political events and politicians so as to foster interest and allow young people to actually know what and who they are voting for.

Yes, but if that was to happen people might actually do something about their country. The government wants to be seen to be doing something, but is actually doing nothing. Appearance as usual in Japan, is everything.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

HS Seniors should be getting a taste of politics, gov, economics and current events affecting the global community.

I completely agree. The general knowledge of politics or social studies among young people is terrible. In my work I often give presentations to communities and people say things like "wow, I had no idea the government worked that way" or "Oh, so that's how taxes work." They never seem to be embarrassed about it!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wow! First, comics. Now, ice cream. Was the voting age lowered to 8 or 18?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Better still -- pay 'em money!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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