Tokyo Governor Candidate in Japan Gives Speech Wearing Diaper as Symbol of "Freedom of Expression"

"Muted During the Same Election Broadcast 4 Years Ago as Well"

Candidate Teruki Goto of the Transhumanist Party running for Tokyo Governor / Photo by NHK Broadcasting Capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] A candidate for Tokyo Governor in Japan caused a stir in Japanese society by delivering a speech with a paper diaper worn over his face on a broadcast.

On the 26th of last month (local time), during NHK's Tokyo Governor candidate policy broadcast, Teruki Goto, a candidate from the Japanese Transhumanist Party, suddenly took off his suit and dress shirt mid-speech and put a large paper diaper over his face in an unexpected act.

During the broadcast, Goto claimed "freedom of expression" and repeatedly used words related to certain body parts. He said, "Four years ago, I said 'XX' (a vulgar term referring to male genitalia), but it was muted," and added, "NHK airs provocative programs, yet my statements while clothed were banned from broadcast." He emphasized, "This restricts freedom of expression and is therefore unconstitutional."

Candidate Goto is taking off his clothes during the NHK policy speech broadcast on the 26th of last month. / Photo by NHK Broadcast Capture

Goto also ran as a Tokyo Governor candidate in 2016. At that time, he made sexually suggestive remarks on NHK's policy broadcast but was muted by the broadcaster. He later filed a lawsuit against NHK but ultimately lost.

NHK conducts recordings or broadcasts of election candidates' policy statements as stipulated by Japan's Public Offices Election Act. In principle, NHK does not interfere with the content or editing of broadcasts, but it responds to content prohibited by election law, such as defamation against other political parties or organizations, content violating public morals, or statements related to product advertising and business.

Meanwhile, several unique candidates appeared on the policy broadcast that day. Takashi Tachibana, leader of the Party to Protect the People from NHK, criticized NHK during the broadcast, saying, "Uncle is going to say bad things about NH now, so good children watching TV, please turn off your TV."