JAPANESE ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26437, 16 April 1947, Page 5

JAPANESE ELECTIONS

CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING MANY WOMEN CANDIDATES Official New Zealand Correspondent with the J Force Rec. 9 p.m. CHOFU, Apl. 10. In the second democratic and probably the most important election of their recent history, the Japanese will soon end the Meiji constitution era, and with a free vote and a secret ballot elect a new House of Representatives under the new Constitution which was promulgated by Emperor Hirohito last December. Throughout Japan the election will be closely supervised by the occupation troops—the Yamaguchi prefecture, covering nearly 2500 square miles, will be the responsibility of 2nd N.Z.E.F. personnel, who will be helped by observer teams from the British Commonwealth Air Group and the American Military Government of Yamaguchi. The election will be held on five different days. Elections of Governors and Mayors of prefectures, towns and villages were held last week In areas where the majorities are insufficient, run-off elections will be held on Tuesday. The election of members of the House of Councillors will be held on April 20, of members of the House of Representatives on April 25, and of members of the Assemblies of prefectures, cities and towns and villages on May 2. Special Maps Printed Observer teams from the 2nd N.Z.E.F will include interpreter, intelligence and field security personnel. Any irregularities will be reported immediately to the Japanese police, and later to headquarters of the Second N.Z.E.F. Maps showing the location of the 1100 booths in the perfectures have been specially printed, and during the voting these booths will be visited regularly. A clpse check will be kept on the counting of votes. In the 47 prefectures in Japan there are 38,500,000 persons eligible to vote. With the nation traditionally dominated by males, the granting of the franchise to women, and their righteous beliefs, this election is of great importance. In the election this year, the first in which women were allowed to vote or to stand for election, 39 women candidates won seats in the House of Representatives. With more than 100 women again standing, it is possible that the number will be increased in the election on April 25. The campaign is at present in full swing, with the usual activity of street corner meetings. Posters and advertisements in the local press. It is chiefly notable for the widespread participation of the recently-formed trade unions.