Key Facts
• July 20 marks the voting day for the House of Councillors election.
• Pre-election voting until July 19 saw marked ballots posted on social media.
• Posting such photos on election day is prohibited under Japanese law.
• Violations may result in up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine of ¥300,000.
• The Public Offices Election Act bans election campaigning on voting day.
• Sharing marked ballots online may be seen as promoting specific candidates.
• “Secret Ballot” principle ensures voter anonymity to prevent coercion or bribery.
• Ballots with personal details or non-candidate names are invalid.
• Some municipalities ban photography inside polling stations to protect privacy.
• Authorities urge responsible voting behavior in the age of social media.
Summary
On July 20, Japan’s House of Councillors election voting day, authorities warned against posting photos of marked ballots on social media. While pre-election voting saw such posts as proof of participation, doing so on election day violates the Public Offices Election Act, which prohibits campaigning on voting day. Violators risk up to one year in prison or a ¥300,000 fine. The “Secret Ballot” principle, protected under Japan’s Constitution, ensures voter anonymity to prevent undue influence. Additionally, some municipalities ban polling station photography to safeguard voter privacy. Authorities emphasize the importance of responsible voting behavior in the digital age.
