On September 22nd, the Shintomi Town Council in Miyazaki Prefecture approved an ordinance to implement electronic voting using tablet devices for its mayoral and town council elections. If the system is used for the mayoral election and town council by-election scheduled for October 24, 2026, it will be only the second such instance nationwide, following the 2024 Shijonawate City mayoral election in Osaka Prefecture.

Goals: Shorter Counting Times and Fewer Invalid Ballots

The town council also approved a supplementary budget of approximately 11.5 million yen, which includes the cost of placing 57 tablet devices at polling stations. The tablets, manufactured by Kyoto-based Kyocera and equipped with a Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications-certified system, allow voters to cast their ballot by touching the candidate's name on the screen. The screen then locks immediately to prevent double voting.

Officials anticipate that electronic voting will significantly reduce ballot counting times to just 20-30 minutes and cut the required number of staff by more than half. Additionally, a major benefit is the prevention of invalid votes, which can often occur with paper ballots due to unclear markings or other errors.

Embracing Digital Transformation in Local Governance

Shintomi Town's decision to embrace tablet voting reflects a broader trend towards digital transformation in local governance across Japan. While the initial investment may seem substantial, the long-term benefits of increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced accuracy are significant. This initiative could serve as a model for other municipalities looking to modernize their electoral processes and improve voter experience. The success of this implementation will be closely watched as Japan continues to explore innovative ways to leverage technology in public administration.