Latest 15 of 17 Total Comments Show All

• 

  Weasel at 01:13 PM JST - 18th October

  When you citizens who don't have any ambition to move out of mom and pop's house till their 33, why would you think that those same people would have any ambition to vote when they turn 18?

• 

  blvtzpk at 03:13 PM JST - 18th October

  This is your future speaking, Japan. Be very frightened.

• 

  LIBERTAS at 04:07 PM JST - 18th October

  Of course they don't. Personal responsibility is to be avoided at all costs if you're Japanese.

• 

  warispeace at 06:24 PM JST - 18th October

  On the other hand, do we really want uninformed youth, easily persuaded by the empty rhetoric of Koizumi, Aso or the likes to vote?

  First teach media literacy and critical thinking skills, then talk about lowering the voting age.

• 

  presto345 at 06:42 PM JST - 18th October

  Giving these youngsters a little push may help to propel them into the realm of responsibility. But as far as the voting issue goes, it should be clear that a huge percentage of (older) adults flout their responsibility too by not showing up to cast their votes at elections. Let's make voting mandatory - or make it mandatory to appear at the voting office - like it used to be and that will set an example for the younger generation.

• 

  adm_kenshin at 07:26 PM JST - 18th October

  Unlike, europeans (at least were I live) who have an opinion on everything, no matter how much they actually know about it, and aren't afraid to state it, Japanese are notoriously unwilling to talk about subjects on which they aren't experts. It's a part of japanese culture.

• 

  presto345 at 08:08 PM JST - 18th October

  Unlike, europeans (at least were I live) who have an opinion on everything, no matter how much they actually know about it, and aren't afraid to state it, Japanese are notoriously unwilling to talk about subjects on which they aren't experts. It's a part of japanese culture.

  There is a fine line between speaking up and keeping one's trap shut. The Europeans talk too much about things they know nothing about, and the Japanese are often too quiet. That is (the latter) not only because they 'aren't experts', but because they dislike conflict, to disagree with the other person. They may know more about the topic under discussion or that the other speaker is wrong, but they won't show that in respect for the other person. There exists this concept of respect in Japan Europeans are not familiar with.

• 

  HaroldSteptoe at 08:12 PM JST - 18th October

  Japanese are too apathetic. Oh yes, i've seen it for myself, they don't learn about devabating or saying anything outside the group.

  presto345- The fact japanese do not debate is not out of any respect, it is a　 fear of stepping out of line , instilled in them by society. Someone who had lived in and with japanese society for any great length of time would know this fact.

• 

  LIBERTAS at 10:02 PM JST - 18th October

  "There exists this concept of respect in Japan Europeans are not familiar with." Au contraire, presto345, it's the respect for ideas, debate and intellectual pursuits (among many other things) that make Europe great. Not conformity, rote learning, self-deprecation and an obviously flawed view of harmony and "wa" according to big brother, a la Japan. That's why I don't live in the claustrophobic, environmentally disastrous, socially stifling and totally screwed up glob that Japan has invented for itself. But, hey! If that's your cup of green tea, be my guest!

• 

  adm_kenshin at 10:33 PM JST - 18th October

  Japanese are too apathetic in the views of europeans, who are too loud-mouthed in the views of Japanese. Obviously Japanese culture is going to seem 'wrong and stupid' to a westerner, but that's just because you've been brought up in a different (and to be honest, rather intolerant) one.

  I agree that root-learning is problematic, but that's being solved now that Japan is becoming more creative (they can't just make things better, they need to invent new things to survive now). Conformity is a double-edged sword, yes, but so is individualism.

  "respect for ideas, debate and intellectual pursuits?" You've gotta be kidding me. Most ideas in Europe that doesn't conform to European ideals and norms are openly ridiculed. Most so called 'debate' often comes down to ad hominem attacks, often questioning the unrelated background of the debaters. Intellectual pursuits are more respected in Japan than Europe.

  While the japanese public rarely take part in an open debate, when there are debates between, for example, politicians, I often see a focus on the issues rather than the persons involved, at least to a higher extent than in Europe. Perhaps that's also just cleverly disguised ad Hominem arguments, but that only proves that Japan is as bad as Europe, not worse.

  I'm not gonna comment the rest of your post.

  Moderator: Readers, back on topic please. Comparisons with Europe are not relevant to this discussion.

• 

  NetteMarie at 11:48 PM JST - 18th October

  I wouldn't want my 15 year old Japanese students voting in 10 years even. They are encouraged to be immature, fall into line with everything, and not to think.

  Trust me. I wanted to have voting and debates in my English class and I was told not to test the students, "it could hurt their feelings if they're not chosen, or if someone disagrees to strongly with them." They will learn in high school, I was told.

• 

  Azrael at 12:07 AM JST - 19th October

  In my country, we get reach legal adulthood at 18 years old. In the last two years of school specially, I remember we studied philosophy, logic and politics; we had debates in class every week and collected news notes to be discussed in class. In summary, we were being prepared to exercise our right to vote once we'd turn 18 years old.

  I don't see that happening in Japan - at least not yet. The government's main concern about education in politic sciences seems to be circumscribed to beautifying Japan's wartime past. I think, if Japanese legal age to vote would be lowered, that step should be preceded with better and active education in political science, logic, philosophy and geopolitics in the classroom for a few years before the age to vote is lowered. Otherwise, there'd be no point in getting people the right to vote at 18 years old.

  As for Japanese reluctance to voice their own opinions and willingness to avoid discussions: I agree that Japanese have a different sense of respect in which they will avoid upsetting others - however, the majority of the time in daily life, such reluctance is not politeness: it is laziness and fear of ridicule. I attend a Japanese university at Graduate level. Even at their age, students are plain reluctant to ask questions or (God forbid!) address the professor with questions regarding the day's class. The few students that actually speak up (and by the way, the professors tend to like them as they are actually helpful) are considered apart of the group. Respectfully and even friendly yes, but they are "different." Laziness and fear of ridicule cripple students and rob them from better opportunities at learning. However, it's a culturally instilled behavior. The simple act of asking questions is considered a disturbance and a sort of "disrespect" to the professors because a question may imply doubt. The ironic part is, all the professors in the top circle have worked and studied abroad. They are eager to conduct classes in a discussion manner. They appreciate and encourage the students that actually ask questions, disagree with reasons, and are able to defend their opinion in a logical way. Something that puzzles me is, how come Japanese are not taught to be critical of authority earlier in life? At Graduate level, professors are not "educating" anyone anymore; they are guiding your research. We are all professionals, with more than one diploma. Then, what is going on? A professional needs to be critical and resourceful. This is one point of Japanese cultural behavior that I think may be hindering a much larger potential in Japanese people.

• 

  blvtzpk at 12:12 AM JST - 19th October

  Let's take some posters' point a step further and simply remove voting from the equation. A dictatorship will avoid any of that imported, foreign, divisive 'democratic' nonsense, won't it?

• 

  Nessie at 07:06 AM JST - 19th October

  I'd rather see them take the vote away from the age 70-plussers.

• 

  tzveteli at 04:14 PM JST - 20th October

  It's better to make voting age higher than lowering it.I do think the education is vital for being able to vote.

Register or login to add a comment!