E-voting in Japan: 2002-2009
Masahiro Iwasaki · 2009
This paper aims to introduce the current situation of electronic voting(e-voting) in Japan and discuss its challenges. E-voting has gradually spread in Japan. It has been used a total of 20 times by 10 local governments since it was first introduced in 2002. Under the current law, e-voting can be used only for the election of the head of local government or council members. I carried out a survey at the polls in all those elections and conducted an interview with voters to find out “how the voters with actual e-voting experience would feel in regard to e-voting.” The number reached about 6,000. The paper first introduces the actual state of e-voting in Japan. Then the current status and challenges of the electronic voting system are analyzed based on data obtained from the interviews to voters. Finally, the paper discusses what challenges the Japanese e-voting has, and what could be given as prescriptions for them.