Photo of 8-Month-Old Baby on Tokyo Governor Election Poster
50s Man from Aichi Prefecture Criticized for Selling Photo for Money
Wife Mentions Divorce, Man Eventually Pleads and Takes Down Poster
In the Tokyo gubernatorial election, which has been turning into a complete mess, the story of a father who sold a photo of his 8-month-old baby to an election campaign group for money has come to light.
On the 3rd, Japan's 'Aera Dot' reported, "A man who put a photo of his '8-month-old baby' on a gubernatorial election poster is expressing remorse." A man in his 50s living in Aichi Prefecture received 550,000 yen (4.7 million won) in June from a political group in exchange for allowing the candidate's poster in the Tokyo gubernatorial election to use the baby's photo. In fact, the group used the baby's photo prominently on election posters to promote the message "We will create a Tokyo where children can live well." Over 900 posters were printed and posted in 36 locations throughout Tokyo.
However, once this fact became known, criticism flooded in for selling the baby's photo for money in the election. The man's wife scolded him, even mentioning divorce. Eventually, on July 1, the man personally visited the election group in Tokyo to explain the situation, and they agreed to remove the posters. The man told the media, "I thought it would help create a better election culture and encourage voting," adding, "I never thought I would sell my child's face for money. But I regret and repent myself for not realizing the problem would escalate this much."
Airi Uchino, representative of "Kawaii Watch My Politics Broadcast," who is running for Tokyo Governor, is promoting her policies on the public broadcaster NHK. NHK provides all candidates running for governor with time to present their policies. [Photo by NHK YouTube]
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 others plastered their candidate boards with posters featuring photos of entertainment establishments or their own dogs.
Japan's current election law allows candidates freedom of expression by permitting them to freely produce and post election posters. As indiscriminate posters continue to be criticized, the Japanese election management committee plans to comprehensively review the Public Offices Election Act, covering everything from candidacy to posters and policy announcements in the future.
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