A display board for election posters in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward has increased in size compared to the previous gubernatorial election in 2020 due to the large number of candidates this time around. The NHK Party has sparked controversy for its decision to sell spaces on its candidates' election posters for advertising purposes, a move that has raised eyebrows and attracted criticism for being unconventional.
Despite the criticism, the NHK Party, which is known for its strong stance against the nation’s public broadcaster, is aiming to capitalize on the record number of candidates expected to run in the Tokyo gubernatorial election. By selling spaces on its election posters for a donation starting at 10,000 yen per location, the party hopes to profit from the campaign, with the potential to earn 140 million yen if all spots are sold at the initial price.
This unique fundraising tactic has raised concerns about its impact on democracy, with experts calling for urgent measures to prevent the exploitation of legal loopholes that allow for the commercialization of election campaigning through the mass acquisition of poster spaces. Despite the unusual nature of this approach, current election laws do not explicitly prohibit the sale of poster spaces to third parties, prompting discussions for a possible legislative review to address this loophole and safeguard the integrity of future election processes.