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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Tokyo, February 5 (Xinhua) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is facing growing criticism over the timing of the upcoming general election. Opposition figures and educators warn that the vote could disrupt university entrance exams and dampen youth participation.
The election, scheduled for February 8, will be the first House of Representatives elections held in February since 1990, a month that coincides with the peak of entrance exam season across Japan.
Sanae Takaichi, who unexpectedly dissolved the lower house of parliament in January, urged students to take advantage of the early voting. However, Komeito Party leader Tetsuo Saito, quoted by the Kyodo Tsushin news agency, said this would place a heavy burden on exam-takers, calling the prime minister's move "extremely unwise."
Meanwhile, Yoshihiko Noda, co-chairman of the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance, said it could deprive young people who want to vote "for their own future" of the opportunity to vote.
Concerns also centered on the potential consequences of noisy campaigning near schools and exam venues. Although Japan's public election law calls on candidates to avoid noisy activities near educational institutions, this does not carry any penalties.
Noting that a voluntary restriction by just some candidates may not be enough to protect students during important exams, Kaori Suetomi, a professor of educational management at Nihon University, said the coincidence highlights the need to review legal regulations governing election timing and campaigning practices. –0–
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