Voices of the young for climate change towards Japan’s upcoming elections

Come this Sunday, 10 July, Japan will hold an election for the House of Councillors, the upper house of Japan’s National Diet. It represents a crucial opportunity for the country to address various issues and implement policies related to gender inequality, rights for the GSRM (Gender, Sexual and Romantic Minorities), and, of course, the climate crisis.

Last Sunday, 3 July, Fridays For Future Tokyo, international FFF members and volunteers gathered near the south exit of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to call for climate action, particularly to make climate change policy a priority in the election.

About 100 individuals joined the event, listening to speeches by the youth and their call for action for Climate Justice. There was also a stage play about both ignorant and climate-positive politicians.

Japan’s election influence usually tilts towards the older population. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, in 2017, voting rate for citizens above 60 years old came to 71%, while that of citizens who are 18, 19, and in their 20s is only 38%. The same tilt can be seen in 2014 too. As such, politicians form policies to optimize appeasement of the majority of the vote – the older population.

The spot that Fridays For Future Tokyo has selected was a strategic move: to persuade Japanese citizens under 30 to take climate action by voting. To get Japanese politicians to care about climate change, they need to listen to the youths who will inherit the future.

Here are the voices of the young generation of Japan.

Hiroki Yamamoto, 18yo: “I think each of our voices is most valuable in order to prevent further wrong political decisions in the climate crisis. One vote in the Upper House election is from the perspective of climate change countermeasures.”

Rina Tawara, 20yo: “I want to create an atmosphere where people and politics can discuss what they can do without ending with simply saying, ‘It’s hot. ‘”

Ochiai Beck Fei Fan, 13yo: “There is a time limit on this planet. Elections must act on the issue of the climate crisis before the time limit. Let’s increase the number of these actions!”

Mutsumi Kurobe, 21yo: “It would be great if as many people as possible could include climate crisis countermeasures as a decision factor for voting through this standing demonstration and future social network transmissions. Even in this heat, I am glad I could unite with many encouraging friends to convey the climate crisis.”

Miyu Tahara , 20yo: “I pretended to be a candidate so that the participants would have fun, and that the passers-by would think, “Demonstrations aren’t scary, it looks fun!”. Not only did I portray my dissatisfaction with politicians, but I think I was able to show what our ideal was.”

Ryo Ueda, 19yo: “I’m glad I was able to share the state of the climate crisis. I want the government to recognize that we are approaching the time limit and take measures.”

Runa Sakata, 20yo: “I’m worried that climate change measures may be neglected in this election. Candidates should clarify their opinions.”

Minori Fukushiro: “I can’t vote for the Upper House election yet, but I hope more people will reach out to us and put the perspective of the climate crisis into the election.”