(Mainichi)

       TOKYO -- The mayor of the Tokyo suburban city of Musashino announced an ordinance proposal on Nov. 12 that would give all city residents the right to vote in local referenda regardless of nationality.

       Musashino Mayor Reiko Matsushita stated that she would submit a proposal to establish a permanent referendum system to the Musashino Municipal Assembly, including granting foreign residents voting rights. The city government said that while there are some municipal authorities in Japan that allow foreign nationals to vote in local referenda, the ordinance would be only the country's third to afford foreigners the same voting rights conditions as for Japanese citizens.

       The ordinance bill allows for a local referendum to be held if a quarter or more of enfranchised residents submit a petition for one. Residents of foreign nationality aged 18 or older who have been on the residential register for three months or more would also be able to vote. Referendum results would not be legally binding.

       On why it was decided to include foreigners among those eligible to vote, Matsushita said, "We couldn't see any logical reason to exclude foreign residents from those eligible."

       She added, "Although we've heard views that this could lead to (foreigners) getting the franchise for elections, elections with legally binding results and referenda where city residents express their views are clearly positioned differently."

       The ordinance bill will be presented during a regular session of the city assembly to be convened Nov. 19. If passed, it would go into effect in April 2022.

       (Japanese original by Yongho Lee, Machida Resident Bureau)

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