Key Facts
• June 22: Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election held, results questioned online.
• Claims of fraud and pre-determined results spread on X (formerly Twitter).
• Media announced projected winners at 8 PM, coinciding with poll closure.
• Projections based on pre-election surveys, exit polls, and journalist research.
• Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon TV surveyed 21,000 voters across 800 polling stations.
• NHK surveyed 71,638 voters at 492 polling stations, with 41,217 responses.
• Experts affirm reliability of projections based on accumulated expertise.
• Fact-check conducted by four media outlets, including Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon TV.
Summary
Concerns arose over Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election results being declared at 8 PM, before vote counting began. Critics on X (formerly Twitter) alleged fraud and questioned the fairness of the process. Media outlets, however, clarified that projections were based on extensive pre-election surveys, exit polls, and journalistic research. For instance, Yomiuri Shimbun and Nippon TV surveyed 21,000 voters, while NHK collected responses from 41,217 voters. Experts highlighted the reliability of these projections, citing years of accumulated expertise. The fact-check was conducted collaboratively by four media organizations, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
