Former prime minister distributes leaflets alone in front of train station

Yoshihiko Noda, who served as prime minister of Japan between 2011 and 2012, was filmed conducting election campaign activities alone in front of Minami-Funabashi Train Station in the city of Chiba.

In the footage recorded in the morning, Noda was seen handing out leaflets to passengers heading toward the station. While some passengers recognized the former prime minister and greeted him while taking a leaflet, it drew attention on social media that many people continued on their way without noticing Noda.

The campaign activity, which was also shared on the social media account of former lawmaker Hideyuki Mizunuma, was carried out to support the Chiba 4th electoral district, according to the schedule on Noda's official website.

It is noted that Noda has recently preferred direct contact over loud campaign speeches. It was reported that the former prime minister defended this method by saying, "Establishing direct contact with people is an important part of my political philosophy."

Born in Funabashi, Chiba in 1957, Yoshihiko Noda entered politics in 1993 after being elected to the House of Representatives of Japan. Following his tenure as Minister of Finance, he became the 95th prime minister of Japan on September 2, 2011, and remained in office until December 26, 2012.

News Source: 12punto