Main opposition party leader Yukio Edano has been enthusiastic about conducting political activities using the internet as sidewalk speeches and trips to provincial regions have been restricted due to the pandemic.
To that end, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has set up a studio in its headquarters in Tokyo to produce videos posted on YouTube and other social media.
On July 29, Edano was in the studio to livestream on YouTube his talk with a university professor.
"From this new studio, I want to talk about how Japan should be in the future," an emphatic Edano said.
The CDPJ plans to livestream from the studio not only Edano's speeches but also those of other party executives and party Diet members' questions posed in the Diet.
Edano also posts messages several times a week on Twitter. Sometimes, he puts up photos or videos.
He has told aides, "I can convey my political opinions toward a wider range of voters across the nation."
At the same time, Edano plans to gradually increase his opportunities to meet directly with voters in preparation for the next House of Representatives election due by the autumn.
Edano has refrained from visiting provincial areas since July 18. After carefully assessing the infection situation, he hopes to resume travel to provincial areas with a scheduled visit to Wakayama Prefecture on Aug. 21. He is also set to visit Kyoto Prefecture the following day.
Before departure, Edano will take a PCR test to confirm that he is negative for the novel coronavirus. He will also scale down his sidewalk speeches as a measure to prevent infections.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
