Compared to other countries, our politicians really don't pull their weight.

Do you talk politics with friends?

What no?

Hey guys and girls on Ask Japanese, it's Cathy Cat!

Now... are you interested in politics? Because we heard that Japanese

youth is very much not interested in politics at all whatsoever.

We are gonna go and find out if that is true.

And gonna go, hit the streets of Tokyou and ask the people there.

So our point to ask the young generation what they think about Japanese politics

maybe give us some criticism and maybe also explain why noone is interested in that stuff.

So let's go and Ask Japanese!

Do you ever talk politics?

Not at all. - Not much.

Not much but a little?

In our company we started debating a change in our working habits.

We only talked a little about it though.

They said something about our salary and if we get or don't get a bonus...

But I have no knowledge in those areas.

I just listened.

You don't know what will change at your company?

Yeah.

Do you have friends who talk politics?

Not at all.

Do you think you should be more interested or not?

I know I should but I am not interested in it yet...

It's super difficult too to get interested in...

Even watching discussions, I totally don't understand what's going on.

So I am not interested.

What image do you have of politicians?

Japanese politicians are old men that fall asleep in parliament discussions.

They sleep?!!? - They do.

There are videos of our old politicians sleeping during discussions online.

They say a lot of things in one go.

That's all we see.

In parliament they fight each other verbally...

that's all we see.

In official discussions, they act worse than primary kids in school.

They don't shut up when others are talking. Why can't they let the other person speak their opinion?

That's true.

I think having your own opinion is good but...

Any ideas so younger people will be interested?

They purposefully use difficult words. I don't understand them.

I think younger people would feel closer to them if they used simpler language.

We have elections but there we can only select a person instead of being able to select

if we support a system or thing in place or not.

I think they should let the public elect on some decisions.

We have a low rate of people voting right now...

But if we got the chance to change things directly instead of indirectly we would vote more.

Are you interested in politics? - I am but it's too difficult.

I wish I knew more...

but I don't know what they are talking about.

They speak so long winded instead of giving concrete answers.

"something is like that because and that's why" stuff like that

I want them to say it straight out. Instead of using difficult words...

they should just say it straight and easy to understand for everyone. Then I'd understand it.

If I would understand it, I would get it more. That would be better.

I think no matter who gets elected nothing changes.

So that's why I don't think we need that many politicians.

You think there are too many? - Yeah.

There are so many politicians and people around that.

Have you ever voted?

I have never voted. I have the ticket to vote, so I can but...

I don't understand it so I never went.

Never.

What should we do so more people get interested in politics?

Instead of only speaking to the older people of Japan in difficult words....

If they want young people to be interested in politics...

They should try and use easy words that they would understand. I think they should change it.

I think we need more young people, they will think similarly. I think our politicians are too old.

We don't think the same.

What if a friend started talking about politics with you?

I would try and listen to them.

If my friend finds it interesting enough to talk about...

I will listen. And if I know more due to that, that's a lucky thing.

I would listen to her but... just nod my head.

"Is that sooooo?" like that?

I would try and ask many many questions.

Are you interested in politics? - I watch the news.

I know what is happening in parliament but not about the details

No specific details? - I don't understand those.

But you watch the news every day? - Every day!

I am not disinterested but I don't try to find out more about it either.

I only know whatever I found on the internet.

I would not directly try to deal with politics.

I am not interested in it at all. - Wow the interest level went gradually down.

What is so difficult?

They talk about things in parliament, ... a lot... i mean like...

The attacks of the opposing party on the ruling government are very... childish.

I think they should attack each other more like mature politicians.

We get told we are young and do things, but I don't know what we're supposed to do

I wish this was easier to understand.

I don't even know what is difficult about all of this.

What is your image of Japanese politicians? - The people that steal our taxes.

Have you ever felt it being used for something good? - Not really

What do you think? - They don't pull their weight, compared to other countries?

Maybe I think that because I don't know much.

I think they earn too much. The higher they get the more they seem to earn.

Politicians get rich? - I think their sallary is pretty high.

I was surprised to see in the news how much their earn.

And politicians? - Not really interested.

I have a medium interest. I don't look it up but...

I see things on TV and that's how I know.

It's not that I am not interested but I don't watch the news so...

I have no means of gaining knowledge on it this way.

do you have anything to do with politics?

Just our votes.

Does your family talk politics?

Not much no.

My dad sometimes says things. - Me not at all.

Have you ever been to elections? - Never. - Never.

Right, do you speak politics with friends? - Whaat

Not at all. - Nope

What if your friend suddenly started talking politics?

I assume they would teach me what I don't know so I'd find that interesting.

Do you rely on your politicians? Are you happy they are there? - Not much.

Not really.

Our prime minister Abe is running for a very very long time now...

I guess this society must rely on him that way.

Are you interested in politics? - Me not much.

I am so not interested.

Why do you think young Japanese are not interested?

I wonder why. No idea. In our daily life, we don't need it as much.

We can live without knowing more about our politics.

If things changed a lot form now, things might be different but for now, I am not interested much.

Do you respect your politicians? What should they do to get young people interested.

Politics seem to be dry and tiresome.

If they spoke easier language and similar, more young people would be interested.

So politics are still difficult for young people. - I think it is.

So everyone agrees that ... they should be interested in it...

But they're kind of not.

Yes it's something I should know about, like reading the newspaper...

But I kind of don't.

Are you putting something on screen now that's relevant to the topic Mr director? no?

I don't know, what did he just show you guys?

I won't find out until this video is edited...

This is gonna make me so excited now, I wanna find out. Anyways.

Many also said that Japanese politics are very difficult. Now...

That's a thing I still can't get my head round either.

I find them very difficult there should maybe be more education about it...

A big thing that most of the people agreed with was...

It seems to be done by the older generation FOR the older generation.

The way it's phrased and specific, kind of difficult to understand...

Long winded speeches and ...

Some people are so old, they fall asleep there.

Also if you become a politician in Japan you get a very hefty sum of money...

so some people seem to be in it for the money ... and not for the good of the country.

That's a thing I heard a couple of people saying off camera as well.

How is that in your country and how are you with these topics?

I know we all should be a little bit more conversed or like ... should know a little bit more about

what's going on around us in this day and age. How bad is it in your country.

Let us know. Or how good is it in your country. Yes. There are also countries that are doing fairly well.

Like the Northern European countries are doing apparently very well.

So let us know, looking forward to reading your comments. Also, if you are new,

don't forget subscribe, hit the subscribe button, tick the notification bell leave us a like...

all of that. It was lovely to see you here and I catch you soon for another video on Ask Japanese.

Bye.