Key Facts
• A ceremony appointing student volunteers was held in Kita Ward, Okayama City.
• Nine university students were named “Youth Election Supporters” by the Okayama Election Commission.
• The initiative aims to address low voter turnout among those under 30, which was 33.46% in the last election.
• Overall voter turnout in Okayama during the previous Upper House election was 47.23%.
• Volunteer Haruka Konishi, 20, emphasized the importance of youth participation in politics.
• After the ceremony, students distributed pocket tissues with election information to encourage voting.
• The Upper House election is scheduled for July 20, 2025.
Summary
In Okayama City, nine university students were appointed as “Youth Election Supporters” to promote voter turnout among younger generations in the upcoming Upper House election. The initiative, led by the Okayama Election Commission, addresses the challenge of low youth participation, with only 33.46% of voters under 30 casting ballots in the previous election. Following their appointment, the volunteers immediately began street campaigns, distributing pocket tissues with election details to encourage civic engagement. The election is set for July 20, 2025.
