Naoto Kan

The main opposition party was defeated April 25 in all three Lower House by-elections, in which voter turnouts were at record lows.

Low voter turnout is believed to benefit candidates backed by solid organized votes.

The Liberal-Democratic Party won in all three constituencies, thanks to support from coalition partner New Komeito, the political arm of Soka Gakkai, a lay Buddhist organization that is a powerful vote-gathering machine.

"We can't say that democracy works soundly when voter turnout falls below 50 percent," Kan said at a news conference.

Kan said that the Constitution or relevant laws should be amended to make voting compulsory. He said people who don't vote should face penalties.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 8, 2004
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