The 2024 Tokyo Gubernatorial Election Revival
From Chaos to Unity
The Final Day Miracle of the Campaign
A scene of pure chaos. Tsukiji River Ginza Park was enveloped in an atmosphere of disarray. The evening glow marked a brief pause in the thunderous downpour, and people who would normally never cross paths began to gather for the final campaign speech of Tokyo gubernatorial candidate Toshio Tamogami, scheduled to start at 7:00 PM. There were men in suits, Rastafarians with dreadlocks, teenage girls, mothers with children and shopping bags. Everywhere in the park, Japanese flags of various sizes fluttered in the damp evening breeze.
Right-wing and left-wing supporters, progressives and conservatives, along with typically apolitical citizens and even those with opposing ideologies—thousands of people flooded a usually quiet park at this hour.
A specially outfitted wing car was parked at the front of the park, serving as a stage where candidate Toshio Tamogami was joined by a crowd of notable supporters. Among them were comedian Mitsuo Senda, actor Tokuma Nishioka, Dewi Fujin, politician Atsushi Suzuki, popular YouTuber Yukihisa Oikawa, singer-songwriter SAYA, musician Hiroyuki Kajiwara, and local leaders from various organizations. These figures, who had shown up to support Tamogami throughout the campaign, now gathered to lend their voices on this final day.
Each time a supporter stepped up to speak, voicing their hopes for candidate Toshio Tamogami and their vision for Japan, cheers and high-pitched cries erupted from the crowd in the park. The peak came at the very end, right before the speeches were set to conclude at 8 PM. As Tamogami took the microphone for his final campaign address, the crowd momentarily fell silent, hanging on his every word—then surged into applause and shouts of encouragement. In the midst of the excitement, Tamogami draped a dragon-shaped hemp garland around his neck, exclaiming, “This is made from hemp, everyone!” For a brief moment, the crowd fell into a stunned silence, uncertain. Tamogami explained: hemp isn’t harmful, it isn’t a drug; it’s been misrepresented, yet it has essential uses for shrines and could replace many petroleum-based products. As he made an impassioned case for hemp, the crowd’s initial hesitation faded, turning into a united wave of applause and cheers. In that moment, chaos transformed into unity.
Astonishment on the Eve of the Election
The Candidate's Declaration on Hemp
“Hemp was closely tied to the lives of the Japanese people, including its use in sacred Shinto ropes, until the end of World War II. However, after the war, the GHQ aimed to weaken shrines and replaced the strong hemp fibers with American steel wire, designating hemp as a drug despite its low toxicity. As a result, Japan and South Korea are the only major countries that still classify hemp as a drug. Isn’t it time to reconsider this classification?”
Toshio Tamogami’s statements on X (formerly Twitter) ignited a firestorm, garnering over 500,000 reactions and trending across the platform. In Japan, cannabis is widely viewed as an absolute evil, and his comments were unexpected for someone considered a leading figure in the conservative camp. This led to speculation about impersonation or takeover, but once it was confirmed that the remarks were genuinely his, people began to question whether he had been brainwashed or was losing his mental faculties. As he openly supported cannabis, many of his traditional supporters felt a deep sense of disappointment and gradually distanced themselves from him.
Despite opposition from his former supporters, who mocked his stance on cannabis and advised him to retract his statements, Tamogami remained steadfast in his positive attitude toward it. He announced his candidacy for the Tokyo gubernatorial election, emphasizing his commitment to the cause. His campaign promises included “a disaster-resilient Tokyo,” “national independence,” and “tax reductions for residents,” alongside the cultivation of hemp.
He argued that “hemp cultivation is subject to the approval of the governor. While hemp is technically illegal, cultivation can be authorized by prefectural governors. There is demand for it in clothing and other industries. We used it extensively before the war and were forced to abandon it under American occupation.” In addition, he pledged to implement educational initiatives to instill pride in Japanese identity, explicitly linking hemp cultivation to Japan’s foundational culture.
This inclusion of cannabis support in his platform only intensified backlash from his existing base. His election office was inundated with nearly 1,000 calls and emails of protest, criticism, and threats. Despite this, Tamogami continued to advocate for cannabis, leading to a critical situation where he faced the near-total loss of his former supporters.
Support After Entering the Election Campaign
Traditional Conservatism and. Post-War Conservatism
In a shift from his previous support base, a younger generation with a relatively open mindset began to express their support for Tamogami. This group deftly moved beyond the simplistic “absolutely not” mentality, engaging in discussions not only about preferences but also about health and personal freedoms. By incorporating the views of this generation into his policies, Tamogami aimed to expand his appeal among younger voters.
While interacting with around 100 young people, including hostesses and bartenders in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district, he emphasized, “If young people vote, my chances will improve.” He also sought to connect with youth facing challenges at home, known as the “Toyoko Kids,” fostering dialogue and understanding with those looking for a place to belong.
Amid a political landscape filled with self-serving politicians, Tamogami aimed to amplify voices that called for action “for me” and “for us.” Those gathering around him recognized that his vision of “restoring a self-reliant nation through traditional conservatism” was not just for the weak but also for the future of younger generations. This younger demographic instinctively understood hemp as a symbol of traditional conservatism.
Meanwhile, those distancing themselves represented the post-war conservative mindset, which upheld the prohibition of cannabis as a form of submission to the U.S. In contrast, supporters of traditional conservatism, symbolized by hemp, began to coalesce around Tamogami. While young people started to seriously listen to calls for “hemp, hemp,” the post-war conservatives shut their ears, and many media outlets chose to ignore these voices or exercise their “freedom not to report.” Consequently, a significant gap emerged between information from mainstream media and that from web and social media.
Cultural Identity
Conservative hero fighting for cannabis. Japan holds the key to a turnaround!
Starting from Scratch: Building True Traditional Conservatism
Unity and Integration through Hemp: Creating New Values
Evolution During the Election Campaign
Degeneration of Major Media
No matter how much he advocated for hemp, major media outlets completely ignored his efforts as if there were an unspoken agreement among them. Whether through street speeches, TV appearances, in-depth coverage, solo interviews, debates, or lectures, he spoke about hemp at every opportunity, yet none of it was reported. This pattern held true across all major television networks, newspapers, and magazines.
The only significant coverage came from a 15-minute video interview conducted by the hemp portal site Asa Navi, which took place in the car while Tamogami was en route to a street speech. This video marked the first and last article focused on hemp, aside from content shared by his office and personal accounts. His remarks, which delved into not only traditional culture and industrial use but also recreational aspects, represented a scoop that deserved media attention, whether viewed positively or negatively. However, there was no follow-up coverage whatsoever. The wave of a censorship-industrial complex is quietly but steadily extending its reach into Japan.
Feasible Policy Proposals
Creating a Prosperous Future with Hemp
The campaign promise that “hemp cultivation is subject to the governor’s approval” evolved during the election period into feasible policy proposals such as the “24th Tokyo Ward, rooftop green land” the “Tokyo hemp seed special zone initiative” and the “Realization of Tokyo Medical Marijuana Special Zone“
Japanese Cannabis Chronicles
Common Rumors and Anecdotes
Discussions about cannabis often carry a taboo atmosphere, making it a rarely discussed topic even among dedicated staff and volunteers. However, every so often, visitors interested in hemp would bring up Japan’s current situation as a whispered rumor. While most of these anecdotes were lighthearted, excessive joking could sometimes label individuals as criminals, social misfits, or even sick.
Moreover, the current laws have fostered a perception that even the seeds and stems, which are completely legal, are unnecessary and seen as evil by some.
The Fight to Turn Black into White
Regulation, Control, and Self-Regulation
In a Japan where social regulations and self-imposed restrictions exist, publicly discussing hemp is challenging. Merely expressing an interest in hemp, rather than admitting to using it, often results in disdain and a loss of social credibility. Consequently, few individuals openly advocate for hemp or express support for its legalization.
Amidst this risky struggle to challenge the notion that hemp is an absolute evil—a belief instilled over nearly 80 years since the war—unexpectedly, understanding, harmony, integration, and unity have emerged. The initial steps towards change are represented by the courage of many to shout, “The emperor has no clothes!” during the election campaign.
This movement has allowed people to begin understanding the sources of societal discomfort and stagnation through the lens of hemp. One example is the legislative push during the election to save a girl with epilepsy, highlighting a law that seemed to abandon her.
Stand up for Ai, CBD for epilepsy
Questions About Laws That Take Lives
Tokyo 20XX: The Legalization of Hemp
A Future Map in Reverse
The international city of Tokyo has transformed into a confident metropolis leading the world. Its legalization of hemp has become a pioneering success story for other cities and countries where cannabis is being legalized, sparking hopes for new laws and regulations in Japan as well. By introducing an international perspective ahead of the curve, Tokyo’s policies have set a global standard.
The cannabis acceptance policy positively impacts various aspects of Tokyo. The implementation of this proposal positions Tokyo, as well as Japan, as a city adopting progressive policies, drawing global attention and marking the first step toward becoming a leading city and nation in the world.
Despite these progressive ideas, the sad reality is that Japan remains stuck in regression, resisting meaningful change in cannabis policy and societal attitudes.
Post-Election Developments
The Emergence of New Sprout
Following the election, just before the implementation of new laws and the imposition of various regulations,
Moreover, those who previously had no interest in cannabis are starting to take notice. Books about cannabis, such as Cannabis and Me by Saya Takagi, have hit the top ranks on Amazon, leading to sellouts and making them hard to find. There’s a renewed interest in cannabis literature, with some titles even becoming collectible.
As cannabis movements gain momentum worldwide, Japan’s stance seems to be moving in the opposite direction. What emerges through the lens of cannabis is a reflection on politics, the environment, traditions, the ideal role of the nation, and our collective future. The “Final Battle of Tokyo” is also the “Final Battle for Cannabis,” interconnected with what could be termed the “Final Battle for the Earth.” Understanding cannabis provides insight into Japan, and grasping its significance offers a clearer view of the world.
With cannabis, we have the potential to change the world. The time to shift the current tides and redefine our future is now. The integration of cannabis into healthcare, clothing, food, and shelter will help shape the future we envision.