Robert Nordström
@rnords.bsky.social
PhD-student of politics at Waseda University. Discussing politics and social issues in Japan. Posts are my own views. He/him🌈 EN/日本語/SWE/FI
website: robertnordstrom.jp
website: robertnordstrom.jp
Pinned
Robert Nordström
@rnords.bsky.social
· Oct 21
The effects of uncontested elections on legislative speechmaking: An analysis of legislative performance in Japan's prefectural assemblies
This study reconsiders the effects of uncontested elections on legislative behavior, based on a large dataset for 2002–2021 that was newly put togethe…
www.sciencedirect.com
A few months old now but here is my most recent article published in Electoral Studies. It explains why uncontested politicians can put more energy into legislative activities than politicians elected in competitive elections. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Even among young people who say they lean to the left, 30% voted for LDP hmmm
リベラル自認の10～30代、「自民に投票」3割 中道は1割届かず
www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
「衆院選をめぐり、朝日新聞が大阪大の三浦麻子教授（社会心理学）と実施したネット意識調査で、自らのイデオロギー（政治的立場）を左寄り（リベラル）と自認している人の投票先は、40代以下だと自民党が最多だったことがわかった。10～30代では34%に達し、次いで国民民主党が10％、中道改革連合を選んだ人は9%にとどまった。」
www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
「衆院選をめぐり、朝日新聞が大阪大の三浦麻子教授（社会心理学）と実施したネット意識調査で、自らのイデオロギー（政治的立場）を左寄り（リベラル）と自認している人の投票先は、40代以下だと自民党が最多だったことがわかった。10～30代では34%に達し、次いで国民民主党が10％、中道改革連合を選んだ人は9%にとどまった。」
www.asahi.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Even among young people who say they lean to the left, 30% voted for LDP hmmm
Reposted by Robert Nordström
I feared this based on the last week, but LDP are going to get possibly a supermajority from the election, giving an unproven Takaichi the reigns when she's barely set out policies (and what she has are economically and socially volatile) and there's bubbling new scandals
Japan, NHK:
Seat projection national parliament
LDP (Conservative): 274-350 (+121)
CRA (Centre): 37-91 (-108)
Ishin (Libertarian): 28-38 (-5)
DPP (Centre-right): 18-35 (-1.5)
Sansei (Right): 9-16 (+9.5)
Mirai (Centre): 8-12 (+10)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ asiaelects.com/japan
Seat projection national parliament
LDP (Conservative): 274-350 (+121)
CRA (Centre): 37-91 (-108)
Ishin (Libertarian): 28-38 (-5)
DPP (Centre-right): 18-35 (-1.5)
Sansei (Right): 9-16 (+9.5)
Mirai (Centre): 8-12 (+10)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ asiaelects.com/japan
February 8, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I feared this based on the last week, but LDP are going to get possibly a supermajority from the election, giving an unproven Takaichi the reigns when she's barely set out policies (and what she has are economically and socially volatile) and there's bubbling new scandals
Reposted by Robert Nordström
例え自分が投票した候補が落選したとしても、「もう終わった」ではありません。
「選挙で選ばれた＝全権委任された」ではないし「民主主義＝選挙が全て」でもありません。
今後もデモや署名など、意思表示の様々な方法を駆使し、選ばれた人間がそれにどう向き合うか、大切なのは「これから」。
「選挙で選ばれた＝全権委任された」ではないし「民主主義＝選挙が全て」でもありません。
今後もデモや署名など、意思表示の様々な方法を駆使し、選ばれた人間がそれにどう向き合うか、大切なのは「これから」。
February 8, 2026 at 11:45 AM
例え自分が投票した候補が落選したとしても、「もう終わった」ではありません。
「選挙で選ばれた＝全権委任された」ではないし「民主主義＝選挙が全て」でもありません。
今後もデモや署名など、意思表示の様々な方法を駆使し、選ばれた人間がそれにどう向き合うか、大切なのは「これから」。
「選挙で選ばれた＝全権委任された」ではないし「民主主義＝選挙が全て」でもありません。
今後もデモや署名など、意思表示の様々な方法を駆使し、選ばれた人間がそれにどう向き合うか、大切なのは「これから」。
Ok, this Japan election campaign I’ve been too busy with finishing my dissertation and personal matters to even care, but god does it look bleak… just gonna get a whisky and go to bed
February 8, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Ok, this Japan election campaign I’ve been too busy with finishing my dissertation and personal matters to even care, but god does it look bleak… just gonna get a whisky and go to bed
I'm back again! With Japan going to a general election in a few weeks, my current hometown is also holding a mayoral election next Sunday. Among the six candidates, there are two right-wing racist nuts... And your run-of-the-mill LDP guy as well of course.
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
埼玉・川口市長選が告示 6氏が出馬 外国人政策など争点に論戦 | 毎日新聞
任期満了に伴う埼玉県川口市長選が25日、告示された。いずれも新人で、元県議の立石泰広氏（64）＝自民推薦▽元市議の矢野由紀子氏（62）＝共産推薦▽元県議の岡村ゆり子氏（44）▽住宅リフォーム会社代表の西内聡雄氏（52）▽介護サービス会社代表の古川圭吾氏（55）▽医療法人理事長の松浦玄嗣氏（53）―
mainichi.jp
January 26, 2026 at 2:45 AM
I'm back again! With Japan going to a general election in a few weeks, my current hometown is also holding a mayoral election next Sunday. Among the six candidates, there are two right-wing racist nuts... And your run-of-the-mill LDP guy as well of course.
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
Yay, Finland makes Japanese views!! Oh… fuck.
フィンランド「つり目」騒動、与党会派代表らが投稿議員の処分検討へ
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
フィンランド「つり目」騒動、与党会派代表らが投稿議員の処分検討へ
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
フィンランド「つり目」騒動、与党会派代表らが投稿議員の処分検討へ：朝日新聞
フィンランドの複数の国会議員らが、アジア人差別にあたる「つり目」の写真や動画をSNSに投稿した問題で、連立政権を組む与党の会派代表らは16日に集まり、処分を検討する。フィンランド首相官邸の報道官が1…
digital.asahi.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Yay, Finland makes Japanese views!! Oh… fuck.
フィンランド「つり目」騒動、与党会派代表らが投稿議員の処分検討へ
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
フィンランド「つり目」騒動、与党会派代表らが投稿議員の処分検討へ
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Japan plans to increase tax on Electric Vehicles (EV) from next year. A new tax based on vehicle-weight will be started, which will be higher for EVs as they in general weight more than gasoline vehicles. I cant help but feel this is orchestrated by the anti-EV lobby.
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
来年度税制改正 EVに重量に応じた課税 導入の方向で検討 | NHKニュース
【NHK】来年度の税制改正で焦点の1つとなっている自動車関係の税制をめぐり、政府・与党は、ガソリン車より重く、道路への負荷も大きいとされるEV＝電気自動車に、重量に応じて課税する新たな仕組みを導入する方向で検討
news.web.nhk
December 6, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Japan plans to increase tax on Electric Vehicles (EV) from next year. A new tax based on vehicle-weight will be started, which will be higher for EVs as they in general weight more than gasoline vehicles. I cant help but feel this is orchestrated by the anti-EV lobby.
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
I know this is very speculative but I wonder if this could have been influenced by pressure from the gov't, as the very same Tokyo High Court made the opposite decision just a year ago. Of course, it would be impossible to prove that Takaichi put pressure on court, but its still quite fishy.
Supporters of marriage equality in Japan faced a setback on November 28th that surprised many. After a series of favorable court rulings across the country, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the lack of recognition of same-sex marriage was constitutional.
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality - Unseen Japan
Supporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings.
unseen-japan.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:47 AM
I know this is very speculative but I wonder if this could have been influenced by pressure from the gov't, as the very same Tokyo High Court made the opposite decision just a year ago. Of course, it would be impossible to prove that Takaichi put pressure on court, but its still quite fishy.
Reposted by Robert Nordström
Supporters of marriage equality in Japan faced a setback on November 28th that surprised many. After a series of favorable court rulings across the country, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the lack of recognition of same-sex marriage was constitutional.
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
Surprise, Anger, and Frustration as Tokyo’s High Court Rules Against Marriage Equality - Unseen Japan
Supporters of marriage equality in Japan were met with an unexpected setback after a series of affirmative rulings.
unseen-japan.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Supporters of marriage equality in Japan faced a setback on November 28th that surprised many. After a series of favorable court rulings across the country, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the lack of recognition of same-sex marriage was constitutional.
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
buff.ly/HlG6HWe
If we want to see something positive in Takaichi, it seems voters are jumping back from Sanseito to LDP.
On the other hand, Ishin also seems to have got a boost from joining the coalition.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
On the other hand, Ishin also seems to have got a boost from joining the coalition.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
自民と維新は↑ 参政は↓ 衆院選比例区の投票先 朝日世論調査：朝日新聞
朝日新聞社が10月25、26日に実施した全国世論調査（電話）で、衆院選の比例区投票先について、「仮にいま、投票をするとしたら」と尋ねると、自民が32%だった。前回9月調査の26%から上昇した。 自民…
digital.asahi.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 AM
If we want to see something positive in Takaichi, it seems voters are jumping back from Sanseito to LDP.
On the other hand, Ishin also seems to have got a boost from joining the coalition.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
On the other hand, Ishin also seems to have got a boost from joining the coalition.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Don’t shout ”Bravo” too soon! The Nagoya Philharmonic is asking concert-goers to keep their Bravos to themselves until the performance is finished, saying shouting bravo at wrong time is bad manners. Please be careful
早すぎる「ブラボー」はNG？名フィルが異例の投稿、物議かもす - 毎日新聞
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
早すぎる「ブラボー」はNG？名フィルが異例の投稿、物議かもす - 毎日新聞
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
早すぎる「ブラボー」はNG？名フィルが異例の投稿、物議かもす | 毎日新聞
コンサートの終演時、観客が称賛や感動の意を込めてステージに向かって叫ぶ「ブラボー」の掛け声。そのタイミングを巡り、名古屋フィルハーモニー交響楽団が11日、公式X（ツイッター）に「早すぎる『ブラヴォー』はうれしいものではございません」と投稿した。表示回数（インプレッション）は4700万回を超え、ブラ
mainichi.jp
October 18, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Don’t shout ”Bravo” too soon! The Nagoya Philharmonic is asking concert-goers to keep their Bravos to themselves until the performance is finished, saying shouting bravo at wrong time is bad manners. Please be careful
早すぎる「ブラボー」はNG？名フィルが異例の投稿、物議かもす - 毎日新聞
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
早すぎる「ブラボー」はNG？名フィルが異例の投稿、物議かもす - 毎日新聞
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
As one of his final acts as PM, Ishiba delivered a personal statement regarding his views on Japans war guilt, discussing the weakness of Japans pre-war political system that led to the war and stating the necessity of a strong democracy to guard against authoritarianism
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
読む政治：「石破カラー」戦後80年見解で集大成へ 保守派は反発、鎮魂に遠く | 毎日新聞
石破茂首相は10日、戦後80年に当たって先の大戦に関する見解を発表する。過去に閣議決定した戦後70年談話などを考慮し、今回は閣議決定を経ない首相個人としてのメッセージにとどめる。ただ、自民党は総裁選で保守色の強い高市早苗氏を新総裁に選出した。「保守回帰」が鮮明となりつつある自民内では首相見解に否定
mainichi.jp
October 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
As one of his final acts as PM, Ishiba delivered a personal statement regarding his views on Japans war guilt, discussing the weakness of Japans pre-war political system that led to the war and stating the necessity of a strong democracy to guard against authoritarianism
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
Hmm, with Komeito out (if they vote against her), Takaichi must get both DPP and Ishin onboard to get enough votes. If they blindly go along, what even is the point of these parties. Interesting days ahead.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
公明党の連立離脱でどうなる？ 首相指名選挙、極めて複雑な状況：朝日新聞
公明党が自民党との連立政権からの離脱を表明したことで、衆院の多数派はどうなるのか――。与党の自公がもともと過半数を割る異常事態の中、国会は極めて複雑な状況に陥る。実現の可能性は低いものの、数の上では…
digital.asahi.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Hmm, with Komeito out (if they vote against her), Takaichi must get both DPP and Ishin onboard to get enough votes. If they blindly go along, what even is the point of these parties. Interesting days ahead.
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
So, in the end Komeito leaves the coalition, ending 26 years of cooperation with the LDP. The parties will also stop cooperation in elections. Wow
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
公明、自民との連立政権離脱へ「いったん白紙」 選挙協力解消も明言：朝日新聞
自民党の高市早苗総裁と公明党の斉藤鉄夫代表が10日午後に党首会談を開き、連立政権を維持するかどうかについて協議しています。自民派閥の裏金問題などをめぐり、公明は自民からの返答次第では連立からの離脱も…
digital.asahi.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:36 AM
So, in the end Komeito leaves the coalition, ending 26 years of cooperation with the LDP. The parties will also stop cooperation in elections. Wow
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Wow, Komeito seems to be moving towards leaving coalition with LDP. Question is, what is the role of the Komeito if they leave the coalition. And they will probably be replaced by DPP and Ishin. Will they cooperate with CDPJ?
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
公明、連立離脱の見方強まる 閣外協力に転じる案が浮上 | 毎日新聞
公明党は9日の中央幹事会で、自民党との連立のあり方について協議し、斉藤鉄夫代表と西田実仁幹事長に対応を一任した。国会議員による中央幹事会や各都道府県本部の幹部による「全国県代表協議会」では、党内でくすぶる「連立離脱」に賛否両論が噴出した。斉藤氏は地方幹部との会合で、自民から十分な回答を得られなけれ
mainichi.jp
October 10, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Wow, Komeito seems to be moving towards leaving coalition with LDP. Question is, what is the role of the Komeito if they leave the coalition. And they will probably be replaced by DPP and Ishin. Will they cooperate with CDPJ?
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
mainichi.jp/articles/202...
Stock market seems to be increasing a lot after Takaichi's win during the weekend. At the same time, Yen is dropping, almost at 150 to the dollar now.
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
株価 一時2100円超値上がり 最高値更新 高市総裁選出で | NHKニュース
【NHK】週明けの6日の東京株式市場は、自民党の高市新総裁のもと積極的な財政政策がとられるのではないかという見方から、ほぼ全面高と
news.web.nhk
October 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Stock market seems to be increasing a lot after Takaichi's win during the weekend. At the same time, Yen is dropping, almost at 150 to the dollar now.
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
Interesting insight about the future of ROK-Japan relations, relations improved considerably during Ishiba’s short stint in power. However, question is if Takaichi will squander this progress. If she sticks to her old positions I think it’s inevitable, but lets see
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
「韓日対立する余裕ない」 韓国の国民感情踏まえ行動を 李元徳教授：朝日新聞
4日に行われた自民党総裁選で、高市早苗前経済安全保障相が新たな総裁に選ばれました。臨時国会での首相指名選挙で次期首相に選出される見通しです。保守色の強い政治信条で知られる高市氏。今後の日韓関係に与え…
digital.asahi.com
October 4, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Interesting insight about the future of ROK-Japan relations, relations improved considerably during Ishiba’s short stint in power. However, question is if Takaichi will squander this progress. If she sticks to her old positions I think it’s inevitable, but lets see
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Reposted by Robert Nordström
Takaichi wins, with Koizumi falling surprisingly short in the lawmaker votes - he didn't even win all of Hayashi's votes.
Probably in part down to lawmakers not wanting to ignore the constituency votes, but also a pretty clear sign of a party running scared of populist challenges from its right.
Probably in part down to lawmakers not wanting to ignore the constituency votes, but also a pretty clear sign of a party running scared of populist challenges from its right.
October 4, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Takaichi wins, with Koizumi falling surprisingly short in the lawmaker votes - he didn't even win all of Hayashi's votes.
Probably in part down to lawmakers not wanting to ignore the constituency votes, but also a pretty clear sign of a party running scared of populist challenges from its right.
Probably in part down to lawmakers not wanting to ignore the constituency votes, but also a pretty clear sign of a party running scared of populist challenges from its right.
Takaichi wins, we are so cooked
October 4, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Takaichi wins, we are so cooked
Hmm, Takaichi wins the party member vote quite convincingly, but seems centrist vote got quite split between Koizumi and Hayashi. I think its more likely Koizumi will win but anything can happen.
October 4, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Hmm, Takaichi wins the party member vote quite convincingly, but seems centrist vote got quite split between Koizumi and Hayashi. I think its more likely Koizumi will win but anything can happen.
Reposted by Robert Nordström
Tbt when this post is how I found out Ishiba won
Ladies and gentlemen, the next prime minister of Japan
October 4, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Tbt when this post is how I found out Ishiba won
Takaichi is hallucinating again. This time, she said "lately, police are forced to release many foreigners guilty of crimes as they aren't able to find enough translators (free translation)". Senior police and prosecutors say they have never heard of any such case
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
「通訳が間に合わず不起訴」 高市氏の発言、捜査の現場はどうみたか：朝日新聞
外国人を逮捕しても通訳の手配が間に合わず、不起訴にせざるを得ないと聞きます――。自民党総裁選に立候補した高市早苗前経済安全保障相が、所見発表演説会でそう発言した。言葉が通じないという理由で、容疑者の…
digital.asahi.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Takaichi is hallucinating again. This time, she said "lately, police are forced to release many foreigners guilty of crimes as they aren't able to find enough translators (free translation)". Senior police and prosecutors say they have never heard of any such case
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
digital.asahi.com/articles/AST...
In the current census, same-sex couples are still discriminated against as they are not able to answer they are “married”. Households with same-sex couples that call themselves “spouses” are automatically changed to “other family”.
www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
「誤回答」になる同性カップル 国勢調査の「論理チェック」見直しを：朝日新聞
10月1日時点で日本に住むすべての人を対象に行われる国勢調査。「同居する同性カップル世帯の集計に課題がある」と呼びかけ続けてきた、早稲田大学社会科学総合学術院の釜野さおり教授（社会調査）に聞きました…
www.asahi.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:16 AM
In the current census, same-sex couples are still discriminated against as they are not able to answer they are “married”. Households with same-sex couples that call themselves “spouses” are automatically changed to “other family”.
www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
www.asahi.com/articles/AST...
Reposted by Robert Nordström
「誤回答」になる同性カップル 国勢調査の「論理チェック」見直しを：朝日新聞 www.asahi.com/articles/AST... ←「同性カップルが「配偶者」と回答すると、総務省に「他の親族」に修正される。総務省の説明では、不完全な記入や誤記入を判断して修正する手続き、「論理チェック」の一貫」（有料記事）
「誤回答」になる同性カップル 国勢調査の「論理チェック」見直しを：朝日新聞
10月1日時点で日本に住むすべての人を対象に行われる国勢調査。「同居する同性カップル世帯の集計に課題がある」と呼びかけ続けてきた、早稲田大学社会科学総合学術院の釜野さおり教授（社会調査）に聞きました…
www.asahi.com
October 2, 2025 at 5:07 AM
「誤回答」になる同性カップル 国勢調査の「論理チェック」見直しを：朝日新聞 www.asahi.com/articles/AST... ←「同性カップルが「配偶者」と回答すると、総務省に「他の親族」に修正される。総務省の説明では、不完全な記入や誤記入を判断して修正する手続き、「論理チェック」の一貫」（有料記事）