The Right to Vote

Japan is heading, slowly, for a new round of domestic strife, potentially. This issue at the heart of it? Granting foreigners the right to vote! At the moment, the right to vote in Japan is restricted to Japanese only. That is those who where born in Japan, and those who have naturalised, and now have a Japanese passport. It is, however, rising as an issue. The previous government, led by the LDP, and backed by New Komeito party, regularly saw New Komeito introduce a bill to grant the right to vote to foreigners who have permanent residency in local elections. However, the bill usually foundered because their much larger partner did not offer the bill any support, and it usually just sank out of sight.

The two sides of the argument are getting themselves more and more entrenched. The conservative side of the argument is quite powerful. Many elder statesmen in the LDP, and within the governments own SDP object to granting foreigners the right to vote, insisting that to do so would be just the start of eroding Japanese culture, and allowing an external influence into Japanese life. Also, their argument is that if a foreigner wants to vote, they should take Japanese nationality. 

The LDP also said obtaining Japanese nationality should be made easier. It is, at the moment, difficult. There are many things we have to do to in order to jump through a lot of hoops to get a Japanese passport. So, in terms of official steps, its hard. Then there is also the problem of the case worker who handles your case. There is no right to appeal a decision, and they can decide to accept or reject you on a whim. They are also capable of just making up rules! Legally, you have to be in Japan for 5 consecutive years. I have heard of people being told to be here for 7, or 10 years. Also, whilst it is not necessary, another applicant was told that by not having a Japanese wife, it would be very hard to find a reason to grant citizenship! Also, if you are a naturalised Korean whose parents where brought over before the war, if you want Japanese nationality, you have to take a Japanese name!

Recently, Shizuka Kamei, of the Kokumin Shinto (Peoples New Party), as part of the governing coalition, said that if the government where to introduce a bill granting limited suffrage to foreigners, the coalition would collapse. He is opposed to the policy, again using the whole cultural argument, and that external influences can come to play. It would only be the thin edge of the wedge to allowing anyone to vote!

Thing is, his threat is not so powerful, as the SDP does not NEED its coalition in the Lower House, as they have enough seats to govern on their own. However, it is important to Hatoyama to maintain the coalition as they do not enjoy enough of a majority in the Upper House. 

We have also seen 14 out of 47 prefectures issue declarations in opposition to allowing foreigners the right to vote. Again, using the dilution of culture argument, and rather more lazily, saying it would involve too much paperwork!

What would the bill do? Well, grant those foreigners in Japan who have permanent residency status the right to vote in local municipal elections. Thats it. Not in national elections, just local. You know, in elections that directly impact in our lives. The largest community would be 

So, those against are lining up the usual protectionist arguments, what about those in support? Well, one argument is that it would put Japan on a more equal footing with many nations around the world. In Britain, for example, anyone within the EU who lives in Britain can vote locally, along with people from some of the Commonwealth nations. Also, the right ot vote in national elections is awarded quite quickly! 

Another argument is that with the collapse of the Japanese population (from 127 million to 90 million by 2050) there is a push to open the doors to allow people in to help balance the population. And with all these foreigners in Japan, we should be allowed the ability to take part in the local community.

Another argument for it is that since we have to pay tax, and contribute financially to the local economy, we should have the right to affect how our taxes are paid! 

Such a bill does have support of some very powerful people, such as Ichiro Ozawa, who is seen as the real power in the DPJ, despite Hatoyama being Prime Minister. He recently was in South Korea in agreed with the Korean President that such a law should come in.

So, both camps are lining up, the older, more experienced, powerful conservative elements are lining up against the younger, more open minded elements. Before, this fight would be a no-brainer, but there is a slow shift in Japan, with the younger people in Japan more and more in support of allowing limited suffrage, giving the reformers more clout in the argument.

For me? Well, of course, I think it should be granted. I live in Kashiwazaki. I work here. I have to pay city taxes, it would be nice to more fully take part in civic life. I do understand the argument that it should be the Japanese who have the right to vote, and that if a foreigner wants to vote, we should take citizenship. Unfortunately, given how tough it is to get Japanese nationality, I do not feel that it would be worth it at the moment. Should they allow me the right to vote, it would encourage me to be more active in civic life, and probably encourage me to take the next step and become Japanese.

Another idea would be to allow dual nationality. Many countries do, including Britain. Most foreigners are happy to come to Japan and live here, and dedicate their lives here. Unfortunately, to become Japanese, means having to give up your previous nationality. Which many are reluctant to do. I am. Should I decide to take this further, I would have to give up my British passport. And I dont want to do that. It is my history. I formed my upbringing. My sense of humour was influenced by my life in Britain. It is part of who I am. However, should I be allowed to keep my British passport, then its a whole new ballgame!

Still, its going to be an interesting fight, though one that is going to take a long to run through.

However, we have elections in the Upper House coming up this year, should the DPJ increase the number of seats, then they wont need their coalition. It could make this fight a lot more exciting!