Sociologist Norihiro Nihei from the University of Tokyo discusses a surprising trend observed during Japan's recent House of Representatives elections, where a significant number of young voters, who identify as liberal, chose to support the conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Nihei attributes this apparent contradiction to an increasing awareness among youths regarding the strict application of rules. The LDP won the elections decisively, emboldening their government to advance policies that could polarize national opinion. This shift prompts questions about the future direction of Japan and the nature of its democracy as seen through the lens of contemporary youth values.

Research conducted in collaboration with the Asahi Shimbun and Osaka University revealed that approximately 34% of young voters in their 10s to 30s who identify as liberal still opted for the LDP, as opposed to less than 10% for the largest opposition party, the Center-Left Reform Coalition. The surveys reinforce a consistent trend among youths towards democratic values and a sense of inclusivity; for example, the belief that rules should be collectively decided has increased from 91.2% in 2018 to 96% anticipated in 2025 among students surveyed. This raises questions regarding how these liberal attitudes coexist with their electoral preferences for the conservative party.

Nihei suggests that the evolution of educational approaches in Japan since the 1990s, which shifted focus from rote memorization to fostering independent thought and dialogue, has contributed to this generation's liberal mindset. Policies encouraging respect for individuals and dialogue have become increasingly accepted, akin to the post-war educational ideals that have often been criticized. However, despite this liberalization in values, the support for the LDP can be linked to a heightened call for a stricter rule of law among the youth, making it essential to explore the complexity of their political preferences in this evolving sociopolitical landscape.