- Tokyo's District Election

"Tokyo's District Election"

At the first staff meeting. Bunkyo district chief candidate, Tsutomu Kemuriyama (left) and his campaign manager, Jyunichiro Koizumu (right) bring word to volunteers about their strategy toward the election before the election week starts.

At 8:30 a.m. on the first day of the campaign week, the “battle” officially starts. Volunteers spread to more than 50 bulletin boards within the district, and compete with other candidates’ campaign-members for their time and the beauty of presentation.

The first rally. More than 100 local advocates gather and listen to Kemuriyama’s campaign speech on a rainy day.

Enthusiastic advocates sign up for entry cards at the inaugural rally for the election. Exceeding 200 people from the anticipated numbers, more than 600 advocates participate in the event.

A scenery at the inaugural rally, which is so-called “Encouraging Party for the Candidate” in Japan. At the far right on the stage, the candidate stays alone and listen to the “encourage speeches” that the local leading figures and politicians make.

Marching through a local shopping street, the candidate gives speeches, hand-shakings, and bows to the people.

A mother and her son shown in a picture are local advocates who manage a shoe shop at the shopping street.

An object shown in a foreground is a “Dharma,” a Japanese cultural figure. People ink over “left eye” when they make a wish, then when the wish granted they will complete to ink over the both eyes. At a rally, the candidate ink in the left eye in front of the public to wish and promise to win the race.

Campaign manager, Jyunichiro Koizumu, is dealing with press through the telephone during the final stage of the campaign. The picture of the candidate is surrounded by recommendation letters, "Dharma," and the alter.

On the election day, candidate Tsutomu Kemuriyama looks down at a street below from the campaign office. Down there, advocates and volunteers are gathering up at the office convincing Kemuriyama’s winning in order to celebrate together.

When NHK, Japan’s national TV network, reports Kemuriyama’s winning for the Bunkyo-District Chief Election, local figures inside the campaign office starts clapping their hands. By that time, the advocates has made a line outside of the office to listen to Kemuriyama’s winning speech.

Following the Japanese tradition, everyone involved in the race express their delight screaming “BANZAI!” Kunio Hatoyama, an influential Congressman from the same district, forth man from the left, has run to the office for celebration.