Tokyo students learn importance of elections through comedy

Comedian Nana Takamatsu has held a class at a junior high school in Tokyo to teach students the importance of elections and democracy.

The visiting class, held on Wednesday, was led by the 32-year-old social entrepreneur and representative director of educational company Shokasonjuku.

Some 270 second- and third-year students at Bunka Gakuen University Suginami Junior High School in Suginami Ward attended the lecture, in which they were encouraged to engage in politics.

Students enthusiastically raised their hands during the class, which involved comedy and quizzes, to say how they hope to change society.

Comedy duo Nagareboshi also joined the session. Together with students and teachers, they drew cards assigning roles, such as high school students, housewives and company presidents that they assumed for debates.

“Young people, who make up a small share of the population, should go to elections and make their presence felt,” Takamatsu said.

“I definitely want to go to the election, which is a chance to express my opinions as a citizen,” said Misaki Matsuda, 15, a third-year student, after the class.

Emphasizing that young people’s opinions matter in a society where the average age of politicians is relatively high, Matsuda said, “I think even a single vote by me can make a difference in politics.”

For the past 10 years, Takamatsu has held classes at schools nationwide for a total of about 100,000 students.

“Young people have become more interested in social issues over the past decade,” she said, while suggesting that many still feel hesitant to take action as they do not feel they can bring about change.

Takamatsu stressed that youth participation in politics “leads to a society that makes us all happy in the long term.”