Liberal Japan

Just found the following video at Japan Probe:



Link to video source.

This is too funny.

James remarks:

With Japan’s ruling party taking major heat for massive errors in the pension system and the recent suicide of an apparently corrupt cabinet member, you’d think that the opposition Democratic Party of Japan [Minshuto] could stick to campaigning on major issues and make major gains in the upcoming elections.

You would think they wouldn’t need a mascot, but then again, look at the typical commercials you find on Japanese TV; sadly, this could be a stroke of genius — link to Japan Probe.

Update 1 (9:00 AM):

Minshu-kun has his own hompage! It features some really effective ads. To see them, follow the link just given then under the banner click 「CM動画」.

Sheer folly or incredible brilliance?

Update 2 (9:35 AM):

Here is a small article about Minshu-kun:

「民主くん」新宿アルタ前で初披露
　民主党のロゴマークを元に誕生した「民主くん」が１０日、東京・新宿アルタ前で、初披露された。
　赤い玉が２つ重なった単純な“癒やし系”着ぐるみ。東京の若手都議らによる自主製作で、党は未公認。参院選に帯同させることを決めた鈴木寛参院議員（４３）＝東京選挙区＝は「６年前は純ちゃん（小泉前首相のキャラクターグッズ）ブームでしたが、今回は民主くん」とアピール。ＣＭ（www.minshukun.com）を作成し、携帯ストラップなどのグッズも考案中という。
　７月５日の参院選告示までに党公認を獲得し、全国派遣を目指すが、炎天下の選挙戦で着ぐるみは、過酷のような気もするが…。

Very rough translation:

“Minshu-kun” makes his debut in front of Shinjuku aruta.
Based on the DPJ’s logo mark, on the tenth, Minshu-kun made his debut in front of aruta in Shinjuku. Consisting of two red balls, he is a pure character of healing. It was created by a young Tokyo assemblyman and has not been official recognized by the party [the DPJ] yet. Upper House member Kan Suzuki (43 years old, Tokyo Ward), who has decided to use the character in his [upcoming] election campaign, noted its appeal by saying, “Six years ago we had the Jun-chan (Koizumi character good) boom, but this time it will be Minshu-kun.” Commercials have already been made and carry-straps along with other goods are now being planned. [Minshu-kun] will get official recognition on July 5, and will be dispatched all around Japan. The election looks to be very severe, but dispatching a cartoon character for such an election kind of makes one feel …