On the 20th of this month, Japan will hold a national election that could dramatically shape our country’s future. I’ve already cast my vote at an early polling station.
Looking at the state of Japanese politics these days, I can’t help but notice how some politicians are worshipped almost like religious leaders, with devoted “followers” hanging on their every word. Honestly, I find it all rather unsettling.
Supporting your favorite idol or celebrity, what’s now called “推し活(oshi-katsu)” is, at the end of the day, just a harmless hobby (though, truth be told, I’ve never understood the urge to chase after entertainers or collect their merchandise, but hey, to each their own). Politics, however, is a whole different animal. The actions of politicians have a direct impact on our daily lives, for better or worse.
Let’s not forget: in a democracy, the people are the true sovereigns. Elections are simply the process by which we temporarily entrust enormous power to a handful of representatives. Our job is not to become fans or followers, but to serve as cold-eyed judges—scrutinizing these politicians, holding them to account, and swapping them out whenever necessary.
The more uncertain the times, the more people seem to long for a “strong leader” or someone who will “fight for Japan.” There’s comfort in clinging to the idea that this person alone can be trusted, or that that politician is on our side. But this mindset, I would argue, is the very definition of dangerous complacency for any citizen in a democracy.
We are not meant to be cheerleaders for politicians. No matter how impressive their résumé or how sweet their promises, we must maintain enough distance and clarity to see the interests and calculations behind the mask.
After all, why place blind faith in the words of a complete stranger—someone you’ve never lived with under the same roof—who’s ultimately saying whatever it takes to get elected? The only things we should put our trust in are their policies, actions, and the results those actions produce.
Our role is to keep scoring them, dispassionately, methodically, and if they come up short, to replace them at the next opportunity. That, in my view, is the true responsibility of a democratic citizen.
