On July 20, Japanese YouTube influencer Harada Masahiro, who is known for mocking and slandering Chinese people, surprisingly won the election and has now officially become a councilor in Nara City, Japan. How can we understand such an absurd election result?
The reason this result is considered absurd is because this influencer is highly controversial and is also called a "nuisance-type" blogger. Most of his videos are without limits, seeking traffic, and provoking others. For example, during the pandemic, he once tried to spread the virus without wearing a mask and was later arrested by the Japanese police.
Over the years, he has gained fame on the Japanese internet due to his continuous provocation of Chinese tourists in Nara, blackening the image of Chinese tourists by claiming they have uncivilized behavior in Nara, especially not respecting the local deer. This includes illegally charging devices at public outlets recently. The slogan he used in the Nara City Council election was "Saving Nara's deer from foreign tourists." This is the same logic as the Shinto Party, which rose unexpectedly in the House of Councillors election with the slogan "Japan First."
However, someone with such character could actually gain the favor of Japanese voters and become a councilor in this historic city of Nara. This also reflects subtle changes in the Japanese social atmosphere. Especially, Harada Masahiro's series of anti-China and xenophobic behaviors have indeed been welcomed and accepted by many Japanese people. Fundamentally, this reflects the conservatism of Japanese society, including the decline in the political field. If the Nara City Council is filled with people like this, how can the local area achieve openness, inclusiveness, and development and prosperity?
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838190593203271/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.