Such a method of electing a president has never been seen! Candidates will be searched for online.

The mayor of a district in Japan announced that he will determine his successor through an online job search site.

According to news reports in the national press, Azuma Shuhei, the Mayor of "Shijonowate" in the Osaka metropolitan area, aims for innovation in candidate selection.

"ANYONE YOU KNOW MIGHT BE THE RIGHT PERSON."

In a statement made in the capital Tokyo, Azuma announced that he would not run for mayor again in the local elections on December 22. Azuma explained the reason for his preference for the new method, stating, "Long-term power comes with negative effects." He said, "Anyone you know, everyone in your close circle may not necessarily be the right person," indicating that he aims to search for candidates nationwide. Azuma noted that he would choose his new successor from an online job search site and stated that he would support this candidate as the sitting mayor.

"HE WAS THE YOUNGEST MAYOR OF HIS TERM"

Candidates will apply through the online job search site "en Japan Inc." until October 15.

Mayor Azuma will review the candidates' documents through the political group he will establish and will conduct interviews with the candidates. After the interviews, Azuma will determine his successor and will support this candidate in the municipal elections, which will start on December 15. Azuma, who previously worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, became "the youngest mayor of his term" when he was elected in February 2017. At the age of 28, Azuma won the election he entered as an "independent" while working as a business consultant, receiving 10,659 votes. After his victory, Azuma stated, "I feel a great responsibility after becoming Japan's youngest mayor." According to the Election Law, Japanese citizens aged 25 and over can run for mayor.