TOKYO (Sputnik) – The upper chamber of the Japanese Parliament (Diet) has unanimously passed a law allowing 18-year-old citizens to vote in elections, adding an extra 2.4 million people to the country’s pool of voters, which is currently restricted to those aged 20 and up.
Earlier, the law was passed by Diet’s lower chamber. It is expected to come into force in one year.
The minim age limit for those doing jury duty or willing to run in parliamentary elections is still set at 20.
Currently, Japanese citizens aged below 20 cannot vote, buy alcohol or tobacco products and are not allowed to take out bank loans.
The last time that Japan changed the minimum voting age was 70 years ago, when it was lowered from 25 to 20 years.
In most countries, including Russia, the minimum voting age is 18.
