On July 10, four Japanese voters living abroad filed suit against the government, arguing that the failure of their mailed ballots to arrive in time for Japan's February 2026 general election was the result of the state's neglect to build an adequate overseas voting system, in violation of the Constitution.

From the dissolution of the House of Representatives to election day: 16 days. From the official notice of the election: just 12. The February 2026 general election was held on the shortest schedule in post-war history, and the shortest period permitted under current law.

An emergency survey launched by LEDGE drew responses from some 400 overseas voters living in 49 countries and regions — voices of anger, describing the plight of wanting to vote but being unable to cast a ballot.

In response to these urgent voices, four plaintiffs living around the world decided to bring a lawsuit, filed on July 10, 2026, calling on the government to establish an overseas voting system that lets everyone cast a ballot reliably, without undue burden.

This will be the tenth public interest litigation supported by LEDGE, a group of specialists in public interest litigation.

Japanese citizens living abroad were once unable to vote in national elections at all. The right of overseas voters to cast a ballot has been won step by step — through the voices of many citizens, and through legal action.

To protect every individual's vote, and to move the history of Japanese democracy forward — we ask for your support.