"I am Cute and Sexy" Announces Candidacy with Shirt Off... Tokyo Branch Election Scandal

56 Candidates Compete in This Year's Tokyo Governor Election
As the Most Registered Candidates in History, Controversies Abound

With 56 candidates registered for the Tokyo gubernatorial election to be held on the 7th, the election is descending into chaos due to some candidates' absurd behavior. During a policy announcement broadcast, one candidate took off their clothes, while another plastered the candidate bulletin board with posters featuring photos of entertainment establishments or their pet dog.

On the 30th of last month, NHK aired a segment featuring Airi Uchino, representative of 'Kawaii Watch My Politics Broadcast,' who is running for Tokyo governor, promoting her policies. NHK provides all gubernatorial candidates with time to present their policies.

On the 30th, NHK featured Airi Uchino, representative of "Kawaii Watch My Politics Broadcast," who is running for Tokyo Governor, to promote her policies. NHK provides all candidates running for governor with time to present their policies.
[Photo by NHK YouTube]

During the approximately six-minute broadcast, instead of presenting her policies, candidate Uchino repeatedly said, "I am not only cute but also sexy," "My favorite foods are meat and fish," and "My name is Airi Uchino. Please remember it." Suddenly, in the middle of the broadcast, she took off her white shirt and glasses, saying, "Aren't I sexy?" and began promoting her YouTube channel.

After the video aired, viewers flooded with criticism. Strong reactions included comments such as "Japan is finished," "The sign language interpreter who had to sign those words is pitiful," and "This is a complete waste of broadcast time. I want my NHK license fee refunded."

Earlier, in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election, the eccentric behavior of candidate Teruki Goto, who ran at the time, also became a topic of discussion.
[Photo by X (formerly Twitter)]

Previously, in the 2020 Tokyo gubernatorial election, candidate Teruki Goto's eccentric behavior also became a hot topic. In his NHK broadcasted policy video, Goto suddenly took off his T-shirt, then his pants, climbed onto the desk, and even removed his diaper to wear it on his face while posing, continuing his bizarre antics.

No Legal Means to Stop Gubernatorial Candidates' Various Eccentric Behaviors

The Tokyo gubernatorial election, which officially began campaigning on the 20th of last month, is struggling with candidates' various eccentric behaviors. One candidate plastered 24 posters listing entertainment establishment names on the election poster board set up in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. Another candidate used a famous racing model's photo instead of their own to attract attention. Yet another candidate was warned by the Metropolitan Police Department for posting a photo of a nearly nude woman.

The Tokyo gubernatorial election, which officially began campaigning on the 20th of last month, is facing turmoil due to the various eccentric behaviors of the candidates. One candidate plastered 24 posters listing the names of entertainment establishments on the election poster board set up in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.
[Photo by Yomiuri Shimbun]

The party 'The Party to Protect the People from NHK,' which fielded the most candidates at 24, posted posters featuring photos of the party leader Takashi Tachibana's dog instead of people. At election bulletin boards in Tokyo's Korea Town and in front of Korean schools, 24 posters each were posted with the Japanese flag and slogans such as "Takeshima is Japanese territory" and calls to return abductees.

The problem is that there is no legal basis to stop such behavior by candidates. Japan's current election law guarantees candidates' freedom of expression by allowing them to freely produce and post election posters. However, as indiscriminate posters continue to be a subject of controversy, the Japanese Election Commission plans to comprehensively review the Public Offices Election Act, from candidacy to posters and policy announcements.

Meanwhile, the Tokyo gubernatorial election, which has the highest number of candidates in history, will be held on the 7th of next month. Incumbent Governor Yuriko Koike and former Constitutional Democratic Party House of Councillors candidate Renho Saito are considered leading contenders in a close race.