Voting Rights for spouses of Japanese nationals & Permanent Resident/外国人の選挙権問題
By: Imtiaz A. Chaudhry/イムテアーズ　チョウドリー
　

Permanent Resident & Spouses of Japanese nationals together total 1% of the population in Japan

Currently, non- Japanese are prohibited from engaging in political activities in Japan. The right of vote, whether in a national & local election, is not granted to non-Japanese, who are also ineligible for election themselves. Proposing and supporting a candidate or assisting an independent candidate, the main activities of political parties, are also off-limits to foreigners, so even joining political parties in Japan is not possible.

Although the right to vote and the opportunity to stand for election are not granted to foreigners and permanent resident, if a foreigner does get involved in an election campaign, thereby violating the Japanese election law, he or she punishable by that very law, this time in spite of foreigner status.

According to recent figures , permanent resident in Japan & foreign spouses of Japanese nationals together total 1% of the population in the Japan. Perhaps it is time that the Japanese government reconsider the voting rights of this growing segment of the population. If such provisions for including part of the society in decisions that affect themselves and the society at large do not exist, we recommend that the constitution be reviewed and amended as necessary.
　

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