Tokyo District Court rules ban on minor election campaigning unconstitutional

The Tokyo District Court has ruled that the blanket prohibition on election campaigning by individuals under the age of 18 is unconstitutional. The ruling, delivered on September 25, 2026, found that Article 137-2 of the Public Offices Election Act violates Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.

The lawsuit was brought by four individuals aged 17 to 20 seeking damages. The plaintiffs argued that the 1952 regulation is outdated and infringes upon the political expression rights of minors. In response, the state argued the provision was necessary to protect minors from improper mobilization and to ensure the fairness of elections.

Following the decision, Shiga Prefectural Governor Taizo Mikazuki expressed support for the ruling, stating that the judgment aligns with his own sensibilities.