Japan prepares to lower voting age from 20 to 18

TOKYO, June 1 (UPI) -- A bill to lower the voting age in Japan to 18 from 20 could go into effect by the end of June.

Tokyo legislators in favor of enfranchising younger voters are concerned that the needs of Japan's next generation are being ignored, the Financial Times reported.

Japan's voting population is aging and their influence on the issues of healthcare and social security could quickly outweigh the needs of young Japanese in education and childcare.

Japan is worried the outcome would be a blow to the country's already low birth rate.

Jiji Press reported the voting age for referendums on constitutional amendments was lowered to 18 in 2014, and that development has made it necessary to lower the voting age.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is keen to lower the voting age for other reasons.

Young voters are more nationalistic, says Mikitaka Masuyama, a professor of political science at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.

Their impact at voting booths could bolster Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who seeks a historic revision of Japan's pacifist constitution.

The LDP has tried to publicize the issue by inviting Natsuki Uchiyama, a 19-year-old member of Japanese pop group AKB48, to Japan's Diet to testify on the merits of lowering the voting age before parliament.

Uchiyama was to testify on Tuesday, but the event was canceled due to opposition from conservative members of parliament.

Jiji press reported there has been some discord between the LDP and the opposition party on the bill's prioritization.

The opposition Democratic Party of Japan wants to discuss a bill on political donations first, before the age-lowering bill is brought into session.

If the bill passes in June, 18-year-old Japanese would be allowed to vote in Japan's Upper House election in summer 2016.