Hey there! 👋 Ever wondered if dropping big cash on ads guarantees an election win? A new Mainichi Shimbun report says not always. Last year’s 2024 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidential contest saw PM Sanae Takaichi’s camp splash roughly 83.84 million yen (about $500K) on promotional pushes—only to lose to rival Shigeru Ishiba, who spent a mere 420,000 yen. 🤯
Here’s the breakdown:
- Digital & social ads: Bulk of the budget went online. Takaichi’s team even hired a slick PR squad for 33 million yen, known for viral campaigns and, some say, opinion-tweaking tactics.
- Print & mail: Over 45 million yen on flyers—despite an LDP rule banning mailed promos. They still sent 300,000+ leaflets and got a stiff reprimand from the Election Management Commission.
This spending spree ignited fiery debates on Japanese social feeds. One user quipped, "Criticizing Ishiba gets me crickets, but call out Takaichi and I’m swamped with hate. With 33M yen on ads, guess why!" Another shared screenshots pointing to "internet trolls" boosting her tweets. 🐦💥
Key takeaway? Even six-figure digital budgets can flop without the right strategy and grassroots support. 💡 For young pros tracking global campaign tech, Takaichi’s loss is a reminder: authentic connection often beats flashy spends. What’s your take? Drop a comment! 👇
Reference(s):
Report: Takaichi's $500K campaign spend failed to secure 2024 victory
cgtn.com
