Both ruling and opposition parties are putting forward policies to attract youngsters, including greater educational opportunities and support for job seekers, while increasing opportunities to interact with them.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has created pamphlets encouraging the young generation to participate in politics. The leaflets tout achievements made by the government of Prime Minister and LDP President Shinzo Abe, such as the launch of a grant-type scholarship program.

To attract more young people to join the party, the LDP has established student divisions in 22 of its regional chapters, including in Tokyo, and plans to set up more.

Komeito, the LDP's coalition partner, highlights its efforts to protect students working in part-time jobs from so-called black companies with exploitative working conditions, as well as its support for students seeking full-time employment.

It also attaches importance to making high schools tuition-free and improving labor conditions for nursery teachers. It has asked Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike for support as Komeito and her Tomin First no Kai (Tokyoites first group) are cooperating in the campaigning for the July 2 Tokyo metropolitan assembly election.

At an event held in Tokyo by the largest opposition Democratic Party on June 15, party leader Renho exchanged views with some 150 high school girls. "There can be more female and young politicians, not only old men," Renho said at the event.

The DP has introduced legislation to make high schools and nursery schools for children aged three or older tuition-free.

In April, the Japanese Communist Party held for the first time a seminar for its chief Kazuo Shii to explain the opposition party's policy platform to students. In a booklet aimed at the young generation, the party set out tougher regulations on overtime work and tax hikes for wealthy people.

"We hope we can make changes, also in Japan," said Akira Koike, head of the JCP's secretariat, citing the Labor Party's strong performance in the recent British general election, partly backed by support from young people.

Key policies from Nippon Ishin no Kai, another opposition party, include lowering the eligibility age to run for public offices to 18. "We regularly exchange views with young people and make use of this to draw up policies," Nobuyuki Baba, the party's secretary-general, said. (Jiji Press)