Tokyo Governor Candidate Airi Uchino's Controversial Behavior
"Shameful Candidate, Reported in Korea Too" Criticism
"You Are the One Spreading It" Rebuttal... Criticized as 'Nonsense'
A candidate running for the Tokyo Governor election in Japan, Uchinno Airi (31), caused controversy by removing her outer shirt during her election policy announcement. Amid ongoing related reports in Korea, she retorted, "If I am shameful, then don't spread it." Recently, a Japanese netizen posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Japan's shameful candidate has been widely reported in Korea as well," adding, "This is an unacceptable policy broadcast. It's so embarrassing."
Female candidate Airi Uchino running for Tokyo Governor election. [Image source=NHK broadcast screen capture]
In response, Uchinno shared the post and said, "If (my actions) are shameful, it would be better not to spread (the articles)," and added, "You are the one digging up and spreading something that can't be found unless you look hard." Critics argue that it is nonsensical since the candidate herself showed inappropriate behavior during the election broadcast.
Earlier, on the 27th of last month, NHK aired a policy announcement ahead of the Tokyo Governor election, where Uchinno appeared as the representative of the party called "Kawaii Watch My Politics Broadcast." Initially, Uchinno appeared wearing glasses and a shirt, saying, "Finally, I met you all. You in front of the camera who just thought I was cute, yes, you. Mr. Camera, don't look at me like that. It's not because I'm cute. Looking at me like this is embarrassing."
During the approximately six-minute broadcast, Uchinno repeatedly said things like, "I am not only cute but also sexy," "My favorite foods are meat and fish," and "My name is Uchinno Airi. Please remember it." In the middle of the broadcast, she suddenly took off her shirt and glasses and promoted her YouTube channel, saying, "Aren't I sexy?" This led to reactions that the Tokyo Governor election has become a farce.
Besides this, the Tokyo Governor election has been flooded with various eccentric behaviors from candidates. One candidate plastered 24 posters on an election poster board in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, listing names of entertainment establishments. Another candidate used a famous racing model's photo as a poster instead of their own to attract attention. Yet another candidate received a warning from the Metropolitan Police Department for posting a photo that almost fully exposed a naked woman.
A record 56 candidates have registered for the Tokyo Governor election to be held on the 7th. Since Japan raised the election deposit from 2 million yen to 3 million yen (about 26 million KRW) in 1992 and kept it unchanged, any Japanese citizen aged 30 or older can run for election. This has sparked controversy that some parties and candidates might be using political bulletin boards for profit. The Japanese Election Commission has stated that it will comprehensively review the Public Offices Election Act from candidacy to posters and policy announcements.
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