Hi Louise. There is no need to register to vote in Japan? What a new idea to me! Does one just show up at any polling station or do they have mail-in ballots too?
As I understand it, once you reach 18 years of age, they send a postcard with your polling place information for each election, and there are many more elections than we have in the U.S. You take the postcard with you when you vote. There is no mail-in voting. However, you can vote early. Where we are (outside a major city), you can go to the polling place during the week before voting day. If you forget your poastcard, they have your name on the list, so you confirm your name and address, and you can still vote. In rural areas like mine, everyone knows everyone else, so there’s no problem with people voting twice, etc. If you are unable to get to the polling venue, you can’t vote. If you can get assistance (people from your care facility, etc.), then you can vote. If you happen to be outside of your polling area, say, Tokyo, there is still a way for you to vote. I’m not sure about having to show ID in that case.
Ah, forgot… Many years ago, citizens who lived outside Japan were not able to vote because they weren’t present in Japan. I don’t know if that has changed more recently.
Love this, and hope to use it with kids. I’m doing volunteer storytelling in an elementary school these days. I’m sure I’ll have occasion to use it—in the future now.
I think the whole world is holding its breath. I went to have my hair cut today. The woman cutting it brought up the election. She told me that she recently voted in the election here in Japan but that she was much more nervous about the outcome of the U.S. election. We will know soon….
Hi Louise. There is no need to register to vote in Japan? What a new idea to me! Does one just show up at any polling station or do they have mail-in ballots too?
As I understand it, once you reach 18 years of age, they send a postcard with your polling place information for each election, and there are many more elections than we have in the U.S. You take the postcard with you when you vote. There is no mail-in voting. However, you can vote early. Where we are (outside a major city), you can go to the polling place during the week before voting day. If you forget your poastcard, they have your name on the list, so you confirm your name and address, and you can still vote. In rural areas like mine, everyone knows everyone else, so there’s no problem with people voting twice, etc. If you are unable to get to the polling venue, you can’t vote. If you can get assistance (people from your care facility, etc.), then you can vote. If you happen to be outside of your polling area, say, Tokyo, there is still a way for you to vote. I’m not sure about having to show ID in that case.
Ah, forgot… Many years ago, citizens who lived outside Japan were not able to vote because they weren’t present in Japan. I don’t know if that has changed more recently.
Love this, and hope to use it with kids. I’m doing volunteer storytelling in an elementary school these days. I’m sure I’ll have occasion to use it—in the future now.
That’s great, Kathy! Any time is a good time to use it. Then use it again to reinforce the message. xox
I think most of the world are praying for your country this week Louise, including me! 🙏🏼xx
Susie, thanks for this. 💕
I think the whole world is holding its breath. I went to have my hair cut today. The woman cutting it brought up the election. She told me that she recently voted in the election here in Japan but that she was much more nervous about the outcome of the U.S. election. We will know soon….
I’ll just keep praying Louise 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽