Key Facts
• July 9: Shiori Yamao, running as an independent in Tokyo’s Upper House election, posts on X (formerly Twitter).
• Post claims a 5th-grade boy requested ‘female emperor and optional separate surnames.’
• Photo shows Yamao speaking with a small figure in a checkered long-sleeve shirt.
• Online users question the post’s authenticity, citing the boy’s attire and phrasing.
• YouTuber Yutabon, 16, mocks the post, saying, ‘What kind of 5th grader is that?’
• Political figure Mitsuya Aoyagi defends Yamao, citing politically aware children.
• Yamao initially defends her post but deletes it later, citing backlash.
• The phrase ‘5th-grade boy’ becomes a meme template, sparking parody posts.
• Examples include humorous requests like ‘ban Cyrillic characters’ and ‘study and adventure.’
• Despite deletion, the post evolves into a viral internet meme during the election period.
Summary
Shiori Yamao, an independent candidate in Tokyo’s Upper House election, faced backlash after posting about a 5th-grade boy’s political request on X. The post, featuring a photo of Yamao with a small figure, was met with skepticism online, with users questioning its authenticity. Public figures like YouTuber Yutabon mocked the post, while others defended it, citing politically aware children. Yamao deleted the post but not before it became a viral meme template, inspiring humorous parodies. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of online culture during election campaigns.
