Campaign

Generally, all activities performed for political purposes are called "political activities."
Therefore, in a broad sense, "election campaign" is also a part of "political activity", but the Public Office Election Law makes a clear distinction theoretically, and defining them can be interpreted as follows.

• Political activities All activities performed for political purposes, excluding campaign-wide activities

• Election campaign Recommend voting for the purpose of winning a particular candidate in a specific election

Diagram showing the relationship between election campaigns and political activities (Source: the Future of Japan Developed by We)

Election campaigns can be held only from the time the notification of candidacy is received on the public notice date (notification date) to the day before the election day.
Election campaigns prior to this period are prohibited by the Public Office Election Law as a pre-exercise.
It is also forbidden to conduct election campaigns on voting days.

The main election campaign methods recognized as candidates under the Public Office Election Law are as follows.
However, depending on the type of election, the method, quantity or standard may differ.

• Establishment of an election office
• Use of campaign cars
• Postcards for election campaign
• Newspaper advertisement
• Distribution of leaflets
• Election Bulletin
• Poster poster
• Street address
• Individual speeches
• Campaigns using the Internet

The following actions can be done freely by voters during the campaign period.

Phone campaigning is not legally restricted.
※ It is forbidden to send telegrams.

You can ask an acquaintance who happened to meet on the street or on a train, or a clerk can request a vote for a customer who happened to come to a store or supermarket to shop.
※ Visiting electors' homes and asking for a vote is prohibited as a door-to-door visit.

During intermissions such as movies and plays, gatherings of youth women's organizations, and breaks at companies and factories, you can give speeches for election campaigns to those who are there.
※ It is forbidden to gather an audience in advance and go there and give a speech.

After displaying your contact information such as your e-mail address, you can call for a vote on candidates you support on the website.
However, election campaigns using e-mail are limited to candidates and political parties.

• Specified public servants (election committee members and staff of the Election Commission, judges, police officers, etc.)
• Persons under the age of 18
• A person who commits an election crime or a crime related to the Political Funds Control Law and does not have the right to vote or be elected

• Election Administration officials (election president, voting manager, voting manager, etc.)

• Public officials of national and local governments
• Members of the Public Corporation and Public Corporations
• Educator

It is not possible to visit houses, companies, stores, etc. door to door for purposes such as voting requests.
Also, you cannot speak about specific candidate names, political party names, or hosting speeches.

Do not collect signatures from electors for the purpose of voting or not voting on specific candidates.

Regarding the election, you will not be able to hold a popular vote to predict which candidates will be elected, and the progress or results will not be announced.

Don't provide food or drink in relation to the campaign.
However, tea and tea confectionery and fruits that are commonly used are excluded.
In addition, a certain number of lunch boxes to be given to election campaigners can be provided.

For the election campaign, do not connect cars or come and go in a row to get the eye.

People under the age of 18 may not campaign or use people under the age of 18 to campaign.

It refers to giving money or goods to electors or campaigners in order to have a specific candidate vote or not to vote, and is the most malicious of the election crimes. And severe penalties are imposed by law.
Elections may be invalidated if the candidate, as well as the person in charge of the election campaign, is punished.

After the election is over, the act of greeting electors regarding the election or loss is prohibited.
For example, door-to-door visits to supporters' homes, holding election celebrations and other gatherings, and distributing and posting thank-you postcards and signboards are prohibited.