We often see this kind of poster; needless to say politicians make these posters to build their good images among the citizens. Generally the poster designs are similar each other. As you can see in this picture they have big names, big smiles and the common slogan “unite for the better society!”
To give citizens clean images politicians often higher the stylist or designer, and the trend to focus on their images can be seen in the recent gubernatorial election in Osaka.
For example HashimotoToru who is the governor of Osaka tried to make fresh image. His poster also has big name, smile and common slogan.
This is his picture before & after his stand for the election.
(Photo : http://www.j-cast.com/ )
From the hair style to his grasses, his appearance changed a lot. Actually he hired the stylist for the election.
I’m not sure these posters have big effect to make good images, but by these posters the politicians will gain publicity. Today to gain publicity seems very important elements for politicians to win the election, but in my opinion, we should focus on their policy more than their celebrity or images.
2 件のコメント:
This is an excellent topic. I have been photographing these political posters and trying to do something with them as well, probably an analysis of facial expressions and gestures in the posters. Smiles and styles certainly fit into such an analysis.
I agree with you that issues are more important, but for some reason hair and celebrity status seem to be more important to Japanese voters. Would Koizumi have been prime minister without his famous hair style? Would Hashimoto have been elected without his celebrity status (and make-over)? He seems to be having many difficulties keeping his political promises. Did you see the picture of him crying when he was criticized by other Osaka politicians?
I would like to hear more of your impressions about this topic.
The only odd thing about this post is the last link. Why are you linking to a 2006 article about U.K's then prime minister's wife using a stylist?
I also think that celeberity stasus is very important elements to win the election, but I worry about the Japanese tendency to vote candidate who is more famous than others. I feel that people care how famous the candidate is more than how effective his/her policy is. Politics cannot be done by only his/her publicity, so we need to think more seriously whom should we vote.
I watched the TV news about Hashimoto. He must have a struggle to readjust Osaka, but it seems very challenging. He could win the election with celebrity, but because of his celebrity, he is in the spotlight, and criticism to him is very severe.
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