14 prefectures oppose allowing foreigners to vote in local elections

Tuesday 09th February, 07:52 AM JST

TOKYO —

Local assemblies in 14 of Japan’s 47 prefectures have adopted statements in opposition to giving permanent foreign residents in Japan the right to vote in local elections since the Democratic Party of Japan took power last year, a Kyodo News tally showed Monday.

Before the launch last September of the new government under Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama who supports granting local suffrage, 31 prefectural assemblies took an affirmative stance, but six of them have turned against it since then.

The results underscored growing opposition to the government’s policy, with local assembly members, including those belonging to the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, pressing for the adoption of statements of opposition in prefectural assemblies.

The Japanese government is considering formulating a bill that will grant local suffrage to permanent residents in Japan, and DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa has expressed the hope that such a bill will pass through parliament in the current Diet session.

But reservations remain within the DPJ-led coalition government about the idea, with collation partner People’s New Party President Shizuka Kamei reiterating his opposition last week.

Explaining the reason behind the Chiba prefectural assembly’s opposition, Naotoshi Takubo, secretary general of the LDP’s local branch in Chiba, said the change of government made it more likely than before that a law will be enacted to accept local suffrage.

‘‘The political situation has changed and we now have a sense of danger for the Hatoyama administration,’’ he said. The Chiba assembly adopted a supporting statement in 1999 when the coalition government between the LDP and the New Komeito party was launched.

An LDP member of the Ishikawa prefectural assembly expressed a similar view, saying the assembly had been supportive because giving permanent residents the right to vote was not ‘‘realistic’’ before.

The Akita prefectural assembly, which adopted its opposing statement after the change of government, said that ‘‘a national consensus has not been built at all.’‘

The Kagawa prefectural assembly says in its statement that foreign residents should be nationalized first to obtain the right to vote.

The issue of local suffrage for permanent foreign residents in Japan came under the spotlight in 1995 after the Supreme Court said the Constitution does not ban giving the right to vote to foreign nationals with permanent resident status in local elections.

Since 1998, the DPJ, the New Komeito party and the Japanese Communist Party have submitted local suffrage bills, but their passage was blocked by the then ruling LDP.

Japan does not allow permanent residents with foreign nationality, such as those of Korean descent, to vote in local elections, let alone in national elections, despite strong calls among such residents for the right to vote on the grounds that they pay taxes as local residents.

Residents of Korean descent comprise most of the permanent foreign residents in Japan.

Japan grants special permanent resident status to people from the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan who have lived in the country since the time of Japan’s colonial rule over the areas, and to their descendants.

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Latest 15 of 108 Total Comments Show All

Patrick Smash at 03:02 PM JST - 10th February

Egawa, I know the history quite well and have never blamed the Japanese governemnt for this entirely. The thing is that Japan became independent of US in 1957, 53 years ago, and this issue is still lingering, which is mainly because the Japanese government won't allow dual nationality.

If the zainichi were considered Japanese from the moment of their birth for generations two and on (as the UK allows for those of settled status)I believe they would truly consider themselves Japanese and the problem would disappear.

Chongryon has been on the decline for may years now, and Mondan is stronger, probably 2/3 of zainichi would be more affiliated to Mindan. Give them nationality from birth, and the vore, and they would be affiliated to Japan instead.

But I appreciated your intelligent post and accept this votoing issue is more complicated than most believe.
ensnaturae at 09:27 PM JST - 10th February

I appreciate cultural differences and locally rooted identity, but wherever I choose to live first of all I'm human and I dare to imagine a future where every human, irrespective of skin color and cultural or national origin, has equally rights wherever he or she decides to settle their life.

YEE-EEEES!!! Its called human rights, Liberté, egalité, fraternité, democracy...etc all else is a step back to medievalism.
egawa at 11:12 PM JST - 10th February

Patrick Smash Thank you very much for knowing Japanese history, I really appriciated. You might have more knowledge than ordinary Japanese People. I would say, if all the people who wants Voting rights like you, I would not mind having voting right for local election for proving your living in Japan. This is my personal opinion.

But facing a reality, such as Tsushima Island (around 40000 resident), Korea government claim as Korean Territory, few years ago. And those people are buying a land close to military base in this island that close to korean boader. even just giving local voting right can cause many more problem in this island. Like Nago City from recent election.

In Japan, we do have many unrespectable Japanese people, who won't teach good part of Japan, like school teacher (Japan Teachers Union), many communist, who wants destroy Japanese pride, Japanese Flag, Japanese Anthem, and so on. Maybe you might know already.

Funny part is They say Western Nuclear weapon is bad, but Chinese and Russian Nuclear weapon is good. Make no sense to me. When you look at DPJ, bunch of communist there. That is why, they are looking at China.

Japan have to grow up, and need re-study about our own history first, because teacher will not teach propery. I had to study by myself. We should bring back our nation pride first, and maybe that time we will be open for local voting right.
Patrick Smash at 12:02 AM JST - 11th February

Egawa, interesting. Actually foreigners often know more about Japan than Japanese do, although I am really no expert. I guess most of us western foreigners would not be here without a strong interest in the country. Back in 1952, the main voice against dual nationality was the American one, although both Japan and Korea were negative about this too at that time.

I really don't want the vote for myself even though I am PR with a Japanese wife and 2 Japanese kids. My wife is Japanese, so are my sons, and I am happy with that. I have a friend who is a 4th generation zainichi, and holds only a Korean passport. I know others too, like you do. When I asked him why he would not naturalise, he said three things. One, his grandmother would be upset. Two, just voting was not important and there were no other benefits. Three, he considered himself South Korean. In my view, he should not consider himself South Korean as a 4th generation zainichi who has never lived in Korea and cannot speak Korean. I know another zainichi who is against naturalising only because of the process. I have stood next to him at a soccer game against SK where we both wore Japanese shirts, although mine was way too small!

I really think that if he had been given a Japanese passport at birth, he would consider himself Japanese. If he threw that away later to become a Korean, he would not deserve a vote.

You raise another good point. There are large Korean communities, so on a local level allowing them to vote could have a strong influence in certain areas which would not be the case on a national scale. I think it is a shame that some zainichi cannot feel Japanese. But I think if they could be born Japanese the country would be stronger. Personally I would allow someone born to two parents born in Japan to be automatically Japanese. The reason I really think this is because my grandparents were Irish, but I feel British. I think that is because I was allowed to be born British in the UK and did not have to apply at a later date. I have strong feelings for Ireland (and Japan of course) but I am an Englishman, and do not feel I should exercise voting rights here.

By the way, I think the Mods have done a great job on these threads. A certain amount of comparison is inevitable, and they have let it go so long as I was not deliberately off topic. Thank you Mods.
def at 11:20 AM JST - 11th February

Japan has decided to make foreign residents pay full taxes, pension, insurance etc. Therefore they should be giving us a vote too.

If they decide to ever open up dual citizenship, then by all means, I'll apply.
tmarie at 10:51 PM JST - 11th February

I'd be happy with dual as well but doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon. Part of the issue is that the Japanese public doesn't understand how you can "love" two nations - my Japanese husband and I debated over this just last week when I said that when we have kids they would have both passports until they want to decide which to take as an adult. This man is married to a foreign, knows I love Japan, has never pressured me to take on Japanese nationality but can'T understand why I would want to have dual citizenship. Just boggles his mind at how it is possible. He's way more open-minded than most so... I figure it'll be another lifetime before this happens.

As for the comment about the foreigner knowing maybe more than your average Japanese person, I tend to think that most foreigners here know more about Japan than your average Japanese person. I think it is because most japanese try and "educate" us on all the wonderful things about Japan - that they never seem to educate each other about.
egawa at 11:49 PM JST - 11th February

tmarie, You have raised very good point of Japanese. A lot of Japanese don't know about politics and history especialy these recent 150 years. Even my wife doesn't. And also, it is kind of taboo that talk about politic outside. Even my parents told me that "Don't talk politic outside of house". Sometime when I talk politic in "IZAKAYA" with my friends, they look at me like "What you talking about?". I am sorry to say it is reallity. When I came back from abroad, I told my friend "I like Japan." and my friend told me "Are you Right Wing?" This is true story. But these days, through Internet, some of people start to open their eyes on these matter. But these people are still minority. Internet might change these kind of Japanese attitude. I really hope.
victoria3188 at 02:13 PM JST - 12th February

Getting a J-passport means, you have to surrender your country's passport.

Also, it means that you must fight to deffend Japan when she is attacked. You are naturally expected to honour its flag and national anthem. The US clearly declairs it. PR can go back to their original country any time if they want, and PR has no obligation to fight to deffend Japan.

It directly talks about your identity.

Identity is mother tongue and foods. If you think the passport is your identity, then keep your passport of your mother country. Dual citizenship is not allowed in many countries for national security reason. Some countries do not issue PR visa also for the same reason.

Voting for elections gives people the means of participating in civic acts. It talks about civic engagement.

If you really want that, just give up the passport of your original country. It depends on your decision. You cannot get everything you want in any country, as you know. The nation did not ask you to come and stay by all means. The US, Canada, and Australia forbid to give PR voting for elections by law because of security reason, as you know. It means that how many years you dedicates to those countries paying lots of tax and contributions, you have no right to vote. As long as you live in those countries, you must follow the law. As all of you know this fact that Japan is surronded by Anti-Japan nations, its national security is so offended. Surprisingly I heard that Korean schools in Japan subsidied money by Japanese government is still teaching Anti-Japan probaganda. It is a big Joke, isn't it?! I cann't understand why such situation is allowed by Japanese people. Are they sane??? It wouldn't have been happening in healthy democratic Western countries, let alone communist countries. If we were abducted our people, we wil get back them as soon as possible. Japan is crazy in the matter of national security!
Shackle at 03:55 PM JST - 14th February

Im a foreigner and I agree totally! Dont let foreigners vote! Theyll ruin this country like theyve ruined their own!
Sheeple at 07:47 PM JST - 14th February

It is Japan's right to decide who can or cannot vote. If you want to vote that bad naturalize. There are no human rights violations to complain about here. You have a clear choice. The same ex-pats that so often accuse Japan of playing the victim card are so fast to pull out the soap box on this one. There is somewhere you have the right to vote...your home country!!! Go away and use it please..so tired of hearing your complaints about Japan
hworta269 at 08:50 PM JST - 14th February

Victoria

In America illegals, dead people and walt disney characters vote, allthough its illegal to do so.

I am also a foreigner in Japan and I dont think I should vote here because its not my country. The decisions foreigners make in voting will only be for themselfs and not the host nation.

And saying that not being able to vote in Japan means people have no participation in the civics of the place they live is absurd. I dont vote here and I talk to a lot of Japanese people about things of this nature. If foreigners want to vote that bad then why dont they vote in their on nations.

Why do people from messed up places want to make their host nation just like the one they left?
Shumatsu_Samurai at 07:04 AM JST - 15th February

Whilst I don't necessarily oppose foreigners being able to vote in local elections (in any country), it's disingenous to claim influencing local politics has no/little effect on national elections.

Local elections can be very important as they help recruit activists for victorious candidates/parties, whilst those on the losing side are disheartened, resulting in support to bleed away. Local politics can also serve as a springboard for gaining experience and a reputation to go on to the national level.

Letting foreigners vote in local elections wouldn't cause a massive political change across Japan, but it could influence matters in some ways.
SebastianFlyte at 12:51 PM JST - 15th February

Given the history, Japans persistent paranoia regarding foreigners is understandable. Yet, with this kind of attitude it is difficult to consider Japan as a true member of the International community.
motogaijin at 03:53 PM JST - 15th February

I was talking with a friend about this nearly two weeks ago. First, let me say that I think many posters, naturally are looking at this in the way it will affect them (gaijin from industrialized nations), whereas I think that most of the grass roots support for PR voting rights concerns zainichi.

Anyway, my friends and I with out American biases both agreed that this should be a non-issue because zainichi should be considered citizen anyway and should have full voting rights. We went further and agreed that any zainich who had the paperwork to support that their family had been in Japan for a certain number of generations (let's say since the Japanese Empire began bringing Koreans to Japan) and who desires it, should be granted Japanese citizenship so long as they renounce any political affiliation with either of the Koreas. No name change necessary. Any who refuse to take citizenship and the terms that go along with it would retain PR status, but be unable to vote.

This solves a few problems. First, As I understand it, many zainichi will not apply for citizenship in Japan because they are required to take a "Japanese" name. This requirement by that Japanese gov't reminds me of a scene from the 1979 mini-series "Roots" where Kunta Kinte is beaten until he answers to the name 'Toby'. Without such a requirement, these individuals could enjoy full rights of the country of their birth (Japan) without discarding the heritage of their country of ancestry (N/S Korea). Second, with the primary disinfranchised group (zainichi) having been offered citizenship without ignoring their roots, the Japanese government can drop the debate over voting rights for non-citizen forever. Sorry, but if you're white/black/asian/arab/indian/etc from the US/Britain/Australia/NZ/wherever else and you can't be bothered to apply for citizenship, then you don't deserve the right to vote. Franchise is for those who are willing to take the steps to show their dedication and loyalty to the country they live in.
AzabuSamurai at 05:55 PM JST - 4th March

@motogaijin: your speculating. for one, the law requiring name change was changed years ago.