Key Facts
• July 3 marks the start of Japan’s House of Councillors election, with voting on July 20.
• In 2021, voter turnout in Fukushima for ages 19 and 20–24 was 25.58% and 26.77%, respectively.
• Yuki Baba, 32, Japan’s first millennial lawmaker, leads efforts to lower candidacy age.
• Baba proposes reducing candidacy age to 18 for the House of Representatives and 23 for the House of Councillors.
• The bipartisan Heisei Lawmakers Exchange Group, founded by Baba, includes 11 members from major parties.
• Baba emphasizes the need for open discussions beyond party lines to address core political issues.
• Japan’s political system is dominated by hereditary candidates, making new entries challenging.
• Baba’s proposed bill includes expanding citizenship education and fostering public-private sector mobility.
• The bill has bipartisan support and aims for implementation before the next unified local elections.
• Baba highlights the importance of engaging youth in politics through education and participation.
Summary
Yuki Baba, a 32-year-old lawmaker and Japan’s first millennial parliamentarian, is spearheading efforts to lower the candidacy age to 18 for the House of Representatives and 23 for the House of Councillors. This initiative aims to align candidacy age with voting age, encouraging greater youth participation in politics. Baba’s bipartisan Heisei Lawmakers Exchange Group fosters open dialogue among young politicians, transcending party boundaries to address systemic challenges. Japan’s political landscape, dominated by hereditary candidates, poses significant barriers to new entrants. Baba’s proposed bill, which has garnered bipartisan support, also emphasizes citizenship education and public-private sector collaboration. With voter turnout among young people in Fukushima as low as 25.58% in 2021, Baba stresses the need to bridge the gap between politics and youth through education, participation, and success stories. The bill is positioned as a gateway to a more inclusive political system, with hopes for implementation before the next unified local elections.
