Overseas electoral system

It is a system that allows you to vote in Japanese national elections even if you live in a foreign country. However, in order to vote, it is necessary to apply for registration on the overseas electoral list in advance. There are two methods of registration: applying before leaving the country (application at the time of departure) and applying at the diplomatic mission in the country of departure (applying at the diplomatic mission abroad).

Japanese citizens over the age of 18 who have submitted a moving-out notification and are registered in the electoral list of their final address

Please apply directly at the window of the Election Administration Commission Secretariat.

From the date of submission of the moving-out notification to the scheduled moving-out date stated in the moving-out notification etc.) can be applied for. Please see the application for diplomatic missions below.

When the applicant himself/herself submits the application form
(1) Application form (there is a column for the passport number that is written on the passport)
(2) Identity verification documents

When a person entrusted by the applicant submits the application form
(1) Application form (Must be signed by the applicant himself/herself. There is space for the applicant's passport number.)
(2) Identity verification documents of the applicant (3) Request form from the applicant (4) Identity verification documents of the person entrusted

Examples of identity verification documents
Documents that can verify your identity with one point: Passport, My Number card, driver's license, identification card from a government agency, etc.
Documents that can be used to verify your identity with two points: One from each of the following A and B (or two from A)
ah. Copy of family register, certificate of residence, health insurance card, pension book, tax payment certificate, handicapped person’s handbook i. ID card issued by a private company with a face photo (company employee ID card, university student ID card, credit card with face photo, etc.)

After confirming your overseas address with a residence report, you will be registered on the overseas electoral list, and we will send you an overseas elector's card via the overseas diplomatic mission.
Note: We will confirm your overseas address based on your residence registration, so please submit your residence registration as soon as possible after leaving Japan. If you cannot confirm your overseas address within 4 months after leaving Japan, you cannot register. A resident registration is a notification that must be submitted to a diplomatic mission when staying abroad with a fixed address or residence for more than 3 months, and can also be submitted online.

A Japanese citizen who is 18 years of age or older and has lived in the area under the jurisdiction of the diplomatic establishment (ambassador, consul general, etc.) that has jurisdiction over the address for more than 3 months.
Note: Even if you live in a foreign country, you cannot apply for registration on the overseas electoral list if you do not have a moving-out notification.

The applicant or a family member living together should bring the required documents and apply at a diplomatic mission abroad (embassy, consulate general). The application form is available at the diplomatic mission abroad.

(1) Applicant's passport (2) Documents certifying that he or she has lived in the jurisdiction of the consular officer submitting the application for at least 3 months (housing lease contract, certificate of residence, etc.) Notes: At the time of application , required only if you have already lived there for 3 months or more. (3) If a family member, etc., living with you applies for registration, a written statement indicating that the applicant has delegated the registration and the passport of the family member, etc. who has been delegated.

An application for overseas electoral register registration is made to the election administration committee of the city via the embassy or consulate in the country. After inquiring about the registered items, the applicant will be issued an overseas voter identification card by the city's board of elections through the diplomatic mission abroad.

If you are registered on the overseas electoral list, you can vote by either of the following methods. All voting methods require an Overseas Voter ID.

(1) Voting by diplomatic establishments abroad

You can vote by presenting your overseas voter's card and passport, etc.

(2) Mail ballot

At least 4 days before the election date, submit a ballot paper to the election administration committee of the place of registration with your overseas voter identification card. You can vote by returning it to the Electoral Commission.
Note: Since it takes time to exchange mail, etc., please take into account the number of days required and request your ballots well in advance. In addition, overseas voters are responsible for the postage for requesting ballots and sending voted ballots. Please note.
Note: Ballots, etc. will be sent to the "address other than the address" ("address" if blank) listed on the overseas voter's card, so if there is a change in the address, Please do not forget to notify the Election Administration Commission of the place of registration via the overseas diplomatic missions under your jurisdiction .

(3) Voting in Japan

If you have temporarily returned to your home country or have moved to Japan, you can vote by presenting your overseas electoral card and voting by the following methods.

Voting at a Polling Place on Election Day

You can vote at the polling station designated by the Election Administration Commission of the overseas electoral list registration area.

early voting

You can vote at the early voting place designated by the Election Administration Commission of the overseas electoral list registration place.

absentee ballot

You can vote at a municipal board of elections other than the place where the overseas electoral list is registered. However, it is necessary to request and receive a ballot, etc. along with an overseas voter identification card in advance from the board of elections in the area where the voter list is registered.
Absentee ballots are available from the day following the announcement date to the day before the election day. Contact your local elections office to find out when and where you can vote.

Elections that can be voted for are elections for members of the House of Representatives, elections for judges of the Supreme Court , and elections for members of the House of Councillors.
You cannot vote in the Inagi City Assembly Election, Inagi Mayor Election, Tokyo Assembly Member Election, or Tokyo Gubernatorial Election.

Establishment of overseas national examination system
Even in overseas voting, it is now possible to conduct national examinations by judges of the Supreme Court.
Please see the flyer for details on how to vote.
Flyer of overseas national examination system (PDF: 4,159KB)

Due to the revision of the Public Offices Election Law, Inagi City was divided into the 21st ward of Tokyo and the 22nd ward of Tokyo for the single-seat constituency of the House of Representatives. As a result, the entire city was changed to the 30th ward of Tokyo.
The 30th ward of Tokyo consists of Fuchu City, Tama City, and Inagi City.