Two high school students in Nagoya attended all public speeches from 11 political parties during Japan's recent House of Representatives election, finding the real-life atmosphere more engaging than information found on social media.
In the recent House of Representatives election in Japan, two second-year high school students from a public school in Nagoya, Koutaro Nakamura and Taizan Nagaya, took an active interest in politics by attending public speeches from all 11 parties that fielded candidates. Despite being only 17 and thus ineligible to vote, the students began attending these events out of a shared curiosity sparked during their first year of high school. Their dedication grew as they decided to systematically attend speeches, especially as the upcoming House of Councillors election approached.
The two students attended speeches from 12 of the 14 candidates in the Aichi electoral district. Their commitment led them to visit multiple campaign sites in one day, including popular spots like the east and west entrances of Nagoya Station. By the final day of the House of Representatives election campaign, they had listened to speeches from all 11 parties. Their experiences challenge the notion that social media provides all the necessary information, as they emphasized the importance of the atmosphere of the events and the composition of the audience present.
This trend among youth highlights a growing engagement with politics that goes beyond digital platforms. By discussing their experiences, Nakamura and Nagaya illustrate how face-to-face interactions at political rallies can significantly influence one’s perception and understanding of each party's policies and positions, suggesting that in-person engagement remains vital even in a highly digital age.
