Say My Name

Only citizens get a vote so I was excluded.

Throughout the entire election period, candidates would drive along the road in vans shouting out their name. Their names were plastered everywhere, much more than slogans or manifestos, and I found out the reason.

In Japanese elections, you have to write the name of the person you want on the ballot paper!

It might not sound so difficult for a name like "Gordon Brown" but when it comes to Kanji it doesn't flood back so easily. Therefore, drilling your name into the voters' heads is a much more efficient (but hardly sensible) way of ensuring votes.

I'm not saying that our method is better, but I don't think having to remember every candidate's name is a fair system.