Japanese Election Posters

Re-uploaded with a word deleted.

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In Japan actions speak louder than words. Indeed, I think that being wordy is viewed in a somewhat negative light. For this reason, none of the election posters contain any detail of policy. Many use the same brief phrases promising action, and at least one stating soley, "Action more than words." Instead, the electorate are provided with the names and large photographs of the candidates striking various positive poses. They were also treated to the greetings broadcast from sound trucks.

Those candidates 45 or so candiates, out of about 55, that were elected recieved only about 1500 votes each.

Bearing in mind the small number of votes required for election, those who were elected may have been successful not because their photo, or name was attractive, or because their sound trucks reached an audience persuadable in this way, but rather because of the votes from those with whom they are connected in one way or another. Thus both the posters, and the sound trucks may be a phatic act, going through the motions of canvassing, whereas the real canvassing may have occured in other ways, not herein described.

This and my othe Japanese culture related videos are on
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• election
• poster
• senkyo
• culture
• japan
• 選挙
• ポスター
• 日本
• 文化

[katakanadian]

Of course, how many Americans voted for Obama based just on the slogan, "Yes, we can!"?

Thanks for providing info on something I saw many times but didn't pay much attention to. In an election for multiple seats do voters get only one vote among the whole panel of candidates or do they get to name a batch of people they want to see on council?

[timtak1]

@katakanadian

Yes, we can"! Or Arnold's "I'll be back" (was it?). But then Obama at least was involved in debate, and did have a web site outlining his policy. I don't think that there was debate, or even in many cases any statement of policy anywhere but I may be wrong.

I think that my wife only got one vote. Yes. Only one vote for one

[scifiwritir]

Wow! It's like a collection of haiku sound bytes. Like a distillation of a resume with all these "active" words. That was fun. BTW, you sent me googling. Had never heard the word "phatic" before. Now, I know a new word. Will try to slip it in on my hubby and friends, see if they know it. Thanks for the upload.

[timtak1]

@scifiwritir

Yes like haiku. Phatic would be a useful word if other people could understand you.

I thought you were a bloke....some kind of prejudice towards science fiction writers.

[TheBloker9]

thanx for the info there are alot of election''s :)

[timtak1]

@TheBloker9

My pleasure.

[dotsona07]

@timtak1 - I agree, as an American who voted for Obama, I think he outlined his policy's quite clearly, I think the "yes we can" slogan was just something to get people motivated and excited, but I think he won based on his position.

[scifiwritir]

@timtak1 oh my gosh! No, we minority women are supposedly taking over scifi. Word on the street or rather the printed page is that touchy-feelyness, minority issues, and women issues are ruining speculative fiction. Quite the battle going on in our little spec-fic tempest. Am gonna attempt to use phatic way often. Thanks again. Your vids are so informative and fun. -C