TOKYO, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been facing mounting criticism over the timing of the upcoming general election, as opposition figures and educators warned the vote could disrupt university entrance exams and discourage youth participation.
The election, scheduled for Feb. 8, will be the first House of Representatives election held in February since 1990, a month that coincides with peak entrance exam season across Japan.
Takaichi, who abruptly dissolved the lower house in January, has urged students to make use of early voting, but Toshiko Takeya, a leader of the Komeito, was quoted by Kyodo News as saying that the burden on examinees will be heavy, calling Takaichi's move "extremely unreasonable."
Meanwhile, Yoshihiko Noda, co-leader of the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance, said it could deprive young people eager to vote "for their own future" of the opportunity to cast ballots.
Concerns have also centered on the potential impact of noisy campaigning near schools and exam venues. Although Japan's public offices election law urges candidates to avoid loud activities around educational institutions, it carries no penalties.
Noting that voluntary restraint by only some candidates may not be enough to protect students during crucial examinations, Kaori Suetomi, a professor of education administration at Nihon University, said the overlap underscores the need to review legal rules on election timing and campaign practices. ■