No net-based campaigning in Japan

Japan is know as a globally leading country in the Internet space with 77 million Internet users, and companies, such as NTT DoCoMo, providing great and innovative services. However, this does not extend to the political segments of the country during election time.

Candidates have Websites, blogs or e-mail newsletters but candidates vying for House of Councilors seats in Sunday's election will not have the luxury of updating their positions or activities via the of the Internet as this would be defined as text message.

All that is considered text is suppose to be put out to the public latest at June 23 - Public Offices Election Law does not allow candidates to update their sites or send any electronic information during the June 24-July 11 campaign period - which is based on a law introduced in 1950.

Regular readers of our blog will remember that the usage of the Internet was very popular during the Korean elections and during the recent US campaign to determine the candidate for their election in November. Considering the advanced stage of Japan in the Internet segment, it is quite amazing that such a law is still existing. But then, it happens often that politicians need to be helped by emerging realities.