29-6-2024 (TOKYO) In a highly unconventional and attention-grabbing move ahead of Tokyo’s gubernatorial election, one candidate has sparked a media frenzy by stripping during her televised campaign speech, inviting viewers to rate her attractiveness and add her on a messaging app.
As she addressed the nation, Uchino Airi, a relatively unknown candidate, took campaign theatrics to an unprecedented level when she started undressing during the broadcast. After unbuttoning her blouse, she delivered the rest of her speech in a nude-colored tube top, boldly asking viewers if they thought she was sexy and inviting them to add her on the messaging app LINE, promising to respond to each message personally.
The political stunt quickly went viral, with clips of the unconventional speech spreading like wildfire across social media platforms. On X, formerly known as Twitter, videos of the incident garnered over 4 million views and counting, with one post featuring only images amassing a staggering 18 million views.
Uchino Airi, a candidate in the Tokyo gubernatorial race, stripped during her official public television speech, asking viewers if they thought she was sexy. She asked them to add her as a friend on messaging app LINE and pledged to respond to everyone. pic.twitter.com/pa9IYfelUR
— Jeffrey J. Hall ???????????????? (@mrjeffu) June 27, 2024
The brazen act drew a range of reactions from Japanese netizens, with many expressing disbelief and embarrassment that such a spectacle could occur during a political broadcast in their country. Some even questioned how such an incident was permitted to air.
To shed light on the motivations behind Ms. Uchino’s stunt, Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, provided insights on a thread on X. He explained that during highly visible open elections in Japan, many fringe candidates utilize political advertisement slots and broadcast airtime to execute attention-grabbing stunts.
According to Hall, these antics range from advocating anti-war or anti-immigration causes to simply seeking personal fame. He noted that such candidates typically do not vie for victory but rather aim to dominate public attention through controversial and unconventional means.
Hall also mentioned that Ms. Uchino is associated with the NHK Party, a lesser-known political group. During a recent debate among lesser-known candidates, she declared her intention to appoint Party leader Takashi Tachibana as Tokyo’s deputy governor if elected.
While the stunt has undoubtedly garnered significant media attention and public discourse, it has also raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the boundaries of acceptable campaign tactics.
