Key Facts
• In 2015, Japan lowered the voting age to 18, marking its 10th anniversary in 2025.
• The 2025 House of Councillors election saw an 18-19 age group voter turnout of 41.74%.
• This turnout increased from previous elections but remains 10+ points below the national average.
• Political literacy among youth has become a significant topic of discussion.
• Some experts propose lowering the voting age further to 16 or even 14-15 years.
• Barriers for young candidates include lack of support and difficulty winning elections.
• Only 30% of schools address specific political issues in civic education.
• The age for candidacy remains unchanged at 25 for the House of Representatives and 30 for the House of Councillors.
• Proposals include creating age-based constituencies and adjusting voting weight by age or tax contributions.
• The 2025 election is seen as a turning point, with growing focus on younger voters.
• Experts highlight the need for more diverse representation, including younger and female politicians.
Summary
Japan’s decision to lower the voting age to 18 in 2015 has reached its 10th year, with mixed results in youth political participation. The 2025 House of Councillors election saw a modest increase in voter turnout among 18-19-year-olds to 41.74%, though still below the national average. Experts emphasize the importance of engaging youth in politics through education and systemic reforms, such as lowering the candidacy age and addressing barriers for young candidates. Proposals to further lower the voting age to 16 or younger and adjust voting systems to reflect age-based or tax-based considerations are gaining traction. The 2025 election is viewed as a pivotal moment, signaling a shift toward prioritizing younger generations in policymaking. However, challenges remain, including limited civic education on political issues and the lack of political support for young candidates. Calls for more diverse representation, including younger and female politicians, underline the need for systemic change to ensure broader participation and influence in Japan’s political landscape.
