2024-06-26 · Ep 1642 · 18m

Tokyo Election has an AI Candidate for real

Watch “Tokyo Election has an AI Candidate for real” on YouTube

Summary

title: "Tokyo Election has an AI Candidate for real" date: 2024-06-26 youtube_id: b3TcdjvBKXI duration_seconds: 1118 channel: Only in Japan Go type: video_summary speakers: SPEAKER_00: John Daub SPEAKER_01: Caller (voice messages) people:

John Daub
Kanae Daub
Yuriko Koike
Renho
Michihito Matsuda (AI Mayor candidate representative)
Peter von Gomm
Toby (crow)
Daniel (caller)
Raymond Centeno
Centeno
Jason (caller) places:
name: Tokyo name_ja: 東京都 type: city prefecture: Tokyo notes: Primary setting; gubernatorial election held July 7, 2024
name: Meiji Jingu Gaien name_ja: 明治神宮外苑 type: park address: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Area under controversy due to tree-cutting and redevelopment plans
name: Tama name_ja: 多摩市 type: city prefecture: Tokyo notes: Suburban area in West Tokyo; birthplace of AI Mayor's representative
name: Kichijoji name_ja: 吉祥寺 type: neighborhood address: Musashino, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Popular residential area; mentioned by a caller prefecture: Tokyo city: Tokyo neighborhood: Shibuya-ku, Musashino, Tama transport:
Yamanote Line
Chuo Line (Kichijoji) season: Summer 2024 topics:
Tokyo gubernatorial election 2024
AI in politics
Japanese democracy
urban development
environmental policy
Meiji Jingu Gaien controversy
political corruption
immigration debate in Japan
foreign investment in Tokyo real estate food: [] japanese_terms:
shotengai (shopping arcade)
gubernatorial (governor — 東京都知事)
Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞, major Japanese newspaper)
NHK (日本放送協会, Japan's public broadcaster) tags:
tokyo-governor-election
ai-politics
ai-mayor
michihito-matsuda
yuriko-koike
renho
japan-democracy
meiji-jingu-gaien
tokyo-politics
urban-development
political-corruption
artificial-intelligence
only-in-japan-go locations:
name: Tokyo name_ja: 東京都 type: city address: Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Primary setting; gubernatorial election held July 7, 2024
name: Meiji Jingu Gaien name_ja: 明治神宮外苑 type: park address: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Area under controversy due to tree-cutting and urban redevelopment
name: Tama City name_ja: 多摩市 type: city address: Tama, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Suburban West Tokyo; birthplace of AI Mayor's human representative
name: Kichijoji name_ja: 吉祥寺 type: neighborhood address: Musashino, Tokyo prefecture: Tokyo notes: Popular area mentioned by a caller planning to visit


---

# Tokyo Election has an AI Candidate for Real

## Overview

In this live stream from June 26, 2024 — just eleven days before the Tokyo gubernatorial election on July 7 — John Daub dives into one of the most unusual political stories in recent Japanese history: an AI-generated candidate officially running for governor of Tokyo. The candidate, known publicly as **AI Mayor** (*AI市長*, represented by a man named Michihito Matsuda who wears a mask), has captured national and international attention for its promise of data-driven, corruption-free governance. John walks viewers through the press conference, the candidate's stated platforms, and the broader context of a crowded 56-candidate race that also includes incumbent Governor **Yuriko Koike** and prominent challenger **Renho**.

The stream goes well beyond the novelty of an AI candidate. John examines the real policy stakes: Japan's declining birth rate, the divisive tree-cutting controversy at **Meiji Jingu Gaien** (明治神宮外苑), foreign investment in Tokyo real estate, and the deep public distrust of human politicians given recurring corruption scandals. He poses a genuinely thought-provoking question — could AI governance actually be the answer to systemic political corruption? John's characteristic blend of humor, skepticism, and curiosity makes for an engaging and accessible explainer on a uniquely Japanese phenomenon that raised real questions about the future of democracy.

## Highlights

- `[00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=1s) **John introduces the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial race** — 56 candidates, election on July 7, and one AI candidate generating all the buzz.
- `[00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=3s) **AI Mayor's masked press conference** — John shows footage of the masked candidate taking questions from stone-cold professional journalists, describing it as "bizarre" and comparing it to pro wrestling.
- `[00:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=7s) **Michihito Matsuda revealed** — The human representative is 51, from Tama (West Tokyo), and the AI's face is an attractive computer-generated woman.
- `[00:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=9s) **Key election issues explained** — Declining birth rates, Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment (tree-cutting controversy), urban development, and democratic crisis.
- `[00:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=12s) **AI Mayor's platform** — Data-driven governance, eliminating corruption, impartial resource management, using citizen input and AI analysis for fair policies.
- `[00:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=13s) **John's take on political corruption in Japan** — Every prime minister has scandals; the system is broken, not just the individuals.
- `[00:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=14s) **Anti-foreigner candidate and Joker subway attacker** — John touches on darker currents in Japanese politics, including a candidate running on anti-foreign platforms.
- `[00:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=15s) **Yen at 160 to the dollar — foreign real estate investment** — Massive foreign capital flowing into Tokyo; Americans buying up properties; the upside and risks discussed.
- `[00:15:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=939s) **Voice messages from viewers** — Callers from New Hampshire and Kentucky share encouragement and travel plans; John encourages more questions.
- `[00:16:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=970s) **Raymond Centeno asks about the blank/blank candidate** — John explains it's likely a public service announcement slot, pivoting to critique NHK funding and Canadian politics.

## Timeline / Chapters

| Time | Event / Segment |
|------|----------------|
| `[00:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=1s)` | Opening — introduction to the Tokyo gubernatorial race, July 7 election, 56 candidates |
| `[00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=3s)` | AI Mayor introduced — John describes the masked press conference, compares it to pro wrestling |
| `[00:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=5s)` | Yomiuri Shimbun profile of Michihito Matsuda; reveal that the AI avatar is a female computer-generated face |
| `[00:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=7s)` | AI Mayor's platform explained — fair governance, AI data analysis, eliminating corruption |
| `[00:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=9s)` | Key issues in the 2024 race: birth rates, Meiji Jingu Gaien tree-cutting, urban redevelopment |
| `[00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=11s)` | Corruption in Japanese politics — scandals, systemic problems, the case for AI impartiality |
| `[00:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=14s)` | Anti-foreigner candidate, Joker subway stabbing incident, immigration debate in Japan |
| `[00:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=15s)` | Yen's decline to ~160/dollar, foreign investment in Tokyo real estate, tourists visiting |
| `[00:15:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=920s)` | John previews upcoming loud campaign cars on Tokyo streets; his commitment to cover AI Mayor |
| `[00:15:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=939s)` | **Voice message 1** — Viewer from New Hampshire thanks the show and welcomes John to visit |
| `[00:15:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=949s)` | John's response; encouragement for more questions and engagement |
| `[00:16:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=970s)` | **Voice message 2** — Daniel from Kentucky planning a trip to Kichijoji in September |
| `[00:16:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=982s)` | John responds about Kichijoji; shares his own violin story |
| `[00:16:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=1000s)` | Raymond Centeno's question about the "blank" candidate; NHK funding controversy |
| `[00:17:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=1050s)` | John critiques Justin Trudeau and Canadian politics; AI Mayor as a Canadian candidate suggestion |
| `[00:18:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=1080s)` | Closing — John signs off, reaffirms support for AI Mayor, says "Matane" |

## Japan Travel Tips

- **Elections in Tokyo are loud and theatrical** — During gubernatorial campaigns, candidates ride through neighborhoods on loudspeaker trucks (*goshi gurishon* 御徐行列車 or campaign cars), shouting policies through megaphones. If you're visiting Tokyo around election time, expect loud interruptions on city streets.
- **Tourist season overlaps with political seasons** — Japan is seeing over 3 million tourists per month in 2024. If you're traveling, you're arriving during a lively and complex period of Japanese political life.
- **The yen at ~160/dollar makes Japan relatively affordable for foreign visitors** — John notes this weakens the dollar's purchasing power domestically but makes Japan's real estate attractive to foreign investors.
- **Kichijoji (吉祥寺) is a popular area for visitors** — Mentioned by a viewer caller, this Musashino neighborhood is known for its shopping, parks, and relaxed atmosphere. Great for a day trip or a base for longer stays.
- **Be aware of NHK reception fees** — If you're renting in Japan, you may encounter door-to-door NHK collectors. John notes that few Japanese publicly support mandatory NHK funding due to perceptions of left-leaning bias.
- **Foreign investment is reshaping Tokyo real estate** — Many new condo developments are being bought by foreigners. If you're looking at property investment in Tokyo, competition is high and earthquake risk should be factored in.

## Japanese Language & Culture Notes

- ** gubernatorial vs. mayoral** — John notes that Tokyo's top official is the *Tochiji* (東京都知事, governor), not a mayor. The "AI Mayor" name is technically a misnomer, but it has caught on as the candidate's branding.
- **AI市长 / AI Mayor** — The candidate officially listed as "AI市长" in Chinese characters, or "AI Mayor" in English. The Japanese term used is AI市長 (AI-shichō).
- ** Michihito Matsuda (松田道人)** — The human face (literally, behind a mask) representing the AI candidate. Age 51, from Tama (West Tokyo), listed under "various" for political party affiliation.
- **Yomiuri Shimbun (読売新聞)** — One of Japan's major newspapers, which ran a profile on Matsuda. John describes this as unexpected, suggesting the story has gone mainstream.
- **NHK (日本放送協会)** — Japan's public broadcaster, funded by mandatory viewer fees. John references the controversy around NHK's perceived left-leaning editorial stance and the unpopularity of mandatory fee collection.
- **Koike (小池)** and **Renho (蓮舫)** — The two main human candidates. Yuriko Koike is the incumbent governor; Renho is a former TV presenter turned politician with a different policy approach. Kanae Daub, John's wife, is reportedly undecided between them.
- **Meiji Jingu Gaien (明治神宮外苑)** — A major urban park in Shibuya-ku near the Olympic Stadium. Controversial plans to cut down trees and redevelop the area have sparked protests, which John strongly supports.
- **Tama (多摩)** — A region of cities in western Tokyo, often considered suburban or semi-rural compared to central Tokyo.
- **Pro-wrestling comparison** — John likens the masked AI Mayor press conference to professional wrestling (*puroresu* プロレス), commenting on the theatricality of Japanese political spectacle.
- **Matane (またね)** — Japanese for "see you again," used as John's sign-off.

## Food & Drink Guide

*No food or drink items are featured in this video.*

## People

- **John Daub** — Host and creator of Only in Japan Go. American who has lived in Japan for over 30 years. Delivers this live-streamed analysis from Tokyo, offering his perspective as a long-term foreign resident on the 2024 gubernatorial race. Shares his own political leanings (leaning toward Koike) and his environmental concerns about Meiji Jingu Gaien.
- **Kanae Daub** — John's Japanese wife. Mentioned as being undecided between Koike and Renho, illustrating the genuine ambivalence many Japanese voters feel. Represented as a typical Japanese voter's perspective.
- **Yuriko Koike (小池百合子)** — Incumbent Governor of Tokyo. Described by John as "a very strong candidate" and "a good person." Praised for her governance but criticized for supporting the Meiji Jingu Gaien redevelopment and tree-cutting.
- **Renho (蓮舫)** — Former TV presenter and major challenger to Koike. Proposes different policies on birth rates and family support. John's wife Kanae considers voting for her at times.
- **Michihito Matsuda (松田道人)** — The 51-year-old human representative of the AI Mayor candidate, from Tama, West Tokyo. Wears a mask at public appearances. The face displayed publicly is a computer-generated attractive woman.
- **AI Mayor** — The artificial intelligence "candidate" running for Tokyo governor. Stated platforms include data-driven policy, corruption elimination, and efficient resource management. More entertainment than serious contender, but raises genuine questions about AI governance.
- **Daniel (Caller)** — Viewer from Kentucky planning to visit Tokyo and Kichijoji in September. Mentioned bringing a guitar for John.
- **Raymond Centeno** — Viewer who asked about the "blank" candidate on the ballot. John's explanation led into a broader discussion about NHK funding and Canadian politics.
- **Jason (Caller)** — Mentioned by John in the closing. John jokes with him about running AI Mayor as a Canadian candidate.

## Key Takeaways

1. **An AI candidate genuinely ran in the 2024 Tokyo gubernatorial election** — Represented by Michihito Matsuda (wearing a mask), with a computer-generated female avatar as the public face. It was a legal, registered candidacy, not a stunt.

2. **The race featured 56 candidates** — The largest gubernatorial race in Tokyo's history, including the incumbent, multiple challengers, and niche candidates (anti-foreigner, Joker-costumed references, and more).

3. **AI governance raises real questions** — Could AI eliminate corruption, improve efficiency, and deliver impartial policy? John frames this seriously: if Japan's political scandals are systemic, perhaps the answer is removing human corruption from the equation.

4. **The Meiji Jingu Gaien tree-cutting controversy is a major fault line** — John is vocal about his opposition to the redevelopment, seeing it as an environmental betrayal. This is a key issue separating candidates and a test of what values the next governor prioritizes.

5. **Japanese politics has deep structural corruption problems** — John's assertion that "every prime minister has scandals" reflects a widespread public perception of systemic rot that voters feel powerless to fix.

6. **Foreign investment is reshaping Tokyo** — The weak yen (~160/dollar) has attracted foreign capital into Tokyo real estate. This brings money but also cultural tensions, reflected in anti-foreigner political messaging.

7. **Elections in Japan are loud and public** — Campaign vehicles with loudspeakers are a normal, if intrusive, part of election season in Tokyo. Tourists should expect noise.

8. **John openly leans toward Koike but is genuinely intrigued by AI Mayor** — Despite his stated preference for the incumbent, John declares secret support for AI Mayor and promises to cover the candidate's campaign events.

## Notable Quotes

- `[00:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=3s) **John Daub:** "This here is AI. And what exactly is AI Mayor? I'm not quite sure. So I went into ChatGPT and I did some research and I kind of figured out if AI Mayor actually has a political platform or something to say."

- `[00:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=4s) **John Daub:** "I'm looking at the reporters in this press conference for AI Mayor and they're all like stone cold journalists. I think this is a pro wrestling competition."

- `[00:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=11s) **John Daub:** "Every single prime minister has scandals. That just totally rocks the foundation of the political system here in Japan. I think all politicians here are corrupt. Just to what degree we're not sure."

- `[00:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=12s) **John Daub:** "Don't blame the game, blame the players. In this case, you can blame the game too."

- `[00:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=13s) **John Daub:** "Can AI be corrupted? That is a good question. That's a question that only AI could answer."

- `[00:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=14s) **John Daub:** "Are the humans doing such a bad job that we need AI to step in and help us? Is this a solution?"

- `[00:15:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=905s) **John Daub:** "AI Mayor, would you keep the trees at Meiji Jingu? One of the hot button issues in this election. I really need the answer to that, because that's near and dear to my heart."

- `[00:15:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=910s) **John Daub:** "Give the money back to the people. Don't take the taxes in the first place. Let people invest."

- `[00:16:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3TcdjvBKXI&t=990s) **John Daub:** "I think most Japanese people are rational people. And through AI, perhaps that's the answer. At least it's worth investigating. I'm on your side, AI."

## Related Topics

- Only in Japan Go — Tokyo politics and governance
- Only in Japan Go — Japanese democracy and elections
- Only in Japan Go — Urban development and environmental issues in Tokyo
- Only in Japan Go — Living in Japan as a foreigner
- Only in Japan Go — Foreign investment in Japan real estate
- Only in Japan Go — Cultural tensions and immigration in Japan

## Search Tags

`#only-in-japan-go #tokyo-governor-election #ai-mayor #michihito-matsuda #yuriko-koike #renho #meiji-jingu-gaien #tokyo-politics #ai-politics #japan-democracy #tokyo-2024 #political-corruption #urban-development #tokyo-real-estate #foreign-investment-japan #kichijoji #tama-tokyo #japan-election #artificial-intelligence-governance #matane`

---

Full Transcript

00:01 John Daub: These are the candidates, some of them, for the Tokyo's governor's race for 2024, the election being held on July 7, not too far away from now. And you can see there's one candidate in particular that is making a lot of waves right above Koike-san right there. Who is the incumbent right now? The governor of Tokyo is a quite bizarre looking candidate that has made a lot of people stop and take notice. This here is AI. And what exactly is AI Mayor? I'm not quite sure. I'm not quite sure. So I went into ChatGPT and I did some research and I kind of figured out if AI Mayor actually has a political platform or something to say.

00:03 John Daub: AI Mayor came out with a press conference. You can't make this stuff up, everybody. This just is bizarre. And this is AI Mayor. This is the candidate. He came out in a mask. I'm having trouble whether or not to figure whether or not this is a joke or this is real. But there is a press conference and I'm looking at the reporters in this press conference for AI Mayor and they're all like stone cold journalists. I'm just kind of forwarding through this. He's taking some pictures for the media, giving bows. He keeps the mask on. I think this is a pro wrestling competition with no other AI Mayor. Now the governor of Tokyo is called the Governor, not the Mayor. But I guess AI Mayor, you get the point.

00:05 John Daub: So what are his platforms? Let me just run through this. This press conference that he did. It's just kind of funny to see some dude in America. So he's 51 years old. He's from Tama, the Tama region, which is out in the sort of the countryside of Tokyo, out in West Tokyo. He has a kind of. How do I say this? Like Yomiuri newspaper tried to make up a profile for him from June 20th. I didn't think. I'm just skipping through it. I didn't think he would have some sort of profile. It's just kind of funny. His political party is marked as various. So I'm not exactly sure what his platform is, but we're gonna get into it.

00:06 John Daub: This became a little bit weird where he pulled out this picture of, I guess the official picture of the candidate. I'm not. So he's wearing the mask. And perhaps this is the AI Candidate who is a very attractive woman. Something between the two strongest mayor candidates at the time. Right now, I don't know, a younger version of them. It's just a little bizarre. But it also makes the Mayor's race. Kind of cool.

00:07 John Daub: So what is the AI Mayor's political platform? What's he running? So first, I think you need to get an understanding of what are the issues for this year's Tokyo gubernatorial race. The declining birth rates. Addressing Tokyo's democratic crisis is a central issue. Candidates are proposing various policies to increase birth rates and support families. The two main candidates, Renho and Koike, have different ways to do that. I'm not sure which one is better. I would probably Koike's. I'm not sure. But Kanae's not quite sure either. She's leaning sometimes to Renho and someday to Koike. So I'm not sure what Kanae's political party is. That's my wife who's Japanese.

00:09 John Daub: Environmental policies in around the redevelopment of the Meiji Jingu Gaien area and border Broader sustainability initiatives are significant points of debate. I'm really upset about this. They've been cutting down trees in the Meiji Jingu area around where the stadium is. The Olympic stadium is in that area. Trying to redevelop that. I don't want to touch it. It's one of the few places with trees. So that's a sour point for Koike. The redevelopment of various parts of Tokyo, including large scale projects like like Tsuki Tsukiji and their impact on local communities is another major issue. This includes controversies of tree cutting and urban parks. So as you can see, Tokyoites want to have a really nice environment. Okay. And I want to know, is AI Mayor? Is this one of his political issues?

00:11 John Daub: So I went on to. Well, AI. Alright, I went on to AI and I figured this out here for you. The AI Mayor mayoral candidate, which is actually gubernatorial candidate for Tokyo's Tama City, aims to bring about a transformation in local governance by leveraging artificial intelligence to deliver fair and balanced policies. AI, I'm not laughing at you. I respect AI. The AI represented by Michihito Matsuda plans to use data analysis and citizen input to make decisions that reflect the community's needs. Interesting concept. The key objectives include improving public service such as transit, healthcare, education, utilizing AI to efficiently manage resources and address issues impartially. That's interesting.

00:12 John Daub: The campaign promotes the idea that AI can eliminate corruption and inefficiencies often associated by human politicians, offering a more rational and data driven approach to governance. This is really big. This is really big because right now, one of the problems is that there are some scandals. Every single prime minister has scandals. That just totally rocks the foundation of the political system here in Japan. These scandals in Particular corruption. I think all politicians here are corrupt. Just to what degree we're not sure. All right. I think they start off as good people, but the system's not good. Don't blame the game, blame the players. In this case, you can blame the game too. But it's something of an attraction.

00:13 John Daub: So the issues are like, maybe AI is the answer. So there's a lot of Japanese. I don't know if they're taking it seriously. It seems more like entertainment. But maybe AI is the answer. Get rid of the human element and put in impartiality where the population votes on issues through AI. And AI will make the policy. Can AI be corrupted? Now that. That is a good question. That's a question that only AI could answer. Somebody needs to get on ChatGPT and ask, Are you corruptible? I don't actually. If somebody wants to go on ChatGPT right now and ask ChatGPT and copy paste in there, what it says is the Tokyo AI Mayor candidate corruptible? Can AI be corrupted like human politicians? Let me know what it says here.

00:14 John Daub: This one right here was kind of disturbing for me. Although it's not an issue. There's a guy who dressed up as Joker on the subway that I don't know if he stabbed somebody, but he's in jail right now. And it says here, I guess this is Candidate say no to supporting foreigners or Foreigners living in Japan say no to supporting their livelihoods or something like that. So this is an anti foreigner one. But maybe for the lazy foreigners that want help from the government. I think, you know, if you're. And this all goes to a political issue because this is all about politics. Immigration in Japan. Yeah. You know what? You better have a passport. Whatever is happening on the border in the southern part states in the United States, that would never happen in an island nation. Here we would just shut that down so fast. I'm not even sure what's going on in the U.S. I don't even want to talk about that. The word illegal immigration. If you don't have a passport and you come into the country, you're sort of here, you'd be an illegal immigrant. But this is probably a sour issue. But this could be why the right in the US is going to win over the left. People are just tired it common sense stuff. Anyways, I don't want to get into US politics. I'm neither here nor there. But it is very interesting that we see an AI mayoral candidate.

00:15 John Daub: I'm just going to. I'm just going to stay here. For a second, I want you to soak this in. It's. It's serious. Are the humans, and I ask you seriously, netizens, Are the humans doing such a bad job that. And then this is. This is the governor of Tokyo right now. The Elections are on July 7th, by the way. And this is her main competition, Ren Ho, who has just a different approach. And then there's AI Mayor, who is completely different. In fact, human in some capacity, I'm not sure. But are humans so corruptible, so corrupted right now that we need AI to step in and help us? Is this a solution? Could this work out in a positive way? Should Tokyo be the test city for AI politics? Should this be the answer ever? How do you get rid of all the corruption in politics? Elect younger people, maybe. I just know one thing I would vote for. If I had the power to vote, I would vote for Governor Koike. I think she's done a fairly good job. I was not happy with the Tokyo Olympics. I thought that was ridiculous. I'm not happy that you bowed down to NBC in the United States and you put events in the middle of the night, for example. I mean, who was putting the bill for this? Okay, like all these things that I think Tokyo was so weak on, they should have held it in 2020 anyways. In hindsight, it was just ridiculous. And the security was just off the charts ridiculous. In hindsight, it's easy for us to say. I don't know if another candidate could have done better. So I kind of let Yuriko Koike off the hook with that. I think she's a very strong candidate. I think she's a good person. I just. I'm not really pleased with the development of getting rid of the trees. And you know, everybody knows I love the trees. The Meiji Jingu. There's protests that have been going on for years to try to make sure that that doesn't happen. And I don't know. I think if there was a vote, AI Mayor would keep the trees. Or would they? Because it looks like a building, it looks like technology. AI Mayor, would you keep the trees at Meiji Jingu? One of the hot button issues in this election. I really need the answer to that, because that's near and dear to my heart. Look at this beautiful tree right above. Would the governor cut this tree down and build a building here for more money? Of course. More money means more buildings, and more business means more taxes. More taxes means more money for the city. More city means more services, blah, blah, blah. More services means that the city is probably wasting money because it's an inefficient way to use the money. Give the money back to the people. Don't take the taxes in the first place. Let people invest. And you know, politics is hurting. It's just. It's just bizarre. Just soak it up above. The current governor is an AI candidate. All right. That's just weird. In a good way. Refreshing way. Can I say refreshing? Can I say that's refreshing?

00:15:20 John Daub: All right. What else do I got here? So you can see that the yen is here at almost 160 to the dollar. There's a lot of foreign investment coming into Japan, right? A lot of these apartment buildings that are. That feel like a million dollars to me. Who makes yen? It actually feels like, you know, 600. A million dollars to us. Like, what is that? Ichi Okuan? That feels like a million dollars to us. It's really $650,000 or so to an American. So a lot of Americans are coming in and buying real estate. They're buying properties, they're buying things inside of Tokyo. Whether or not that's a good investment. Let's say a massive earthquake hits Tokyo, probably investment, but for the most part, I would think that that's good for Tokyo. We're getting a lot of investment coming in here. Who's buying these new condos? A lot of foreigners, actually. So, you know, that's some good stuff. But there's a lot of anti foreign feeling. And you see that in this particular candidate, it's an anti foreigner candidate right there. So I mean, there's always going to be. And like, what's creepy is like that Joker, this is the guy who went to jail. And I think it was about three or four years ago this happened. This is real. That's a real situation right there on the train. A guy dressed up as the Joker went in and started to stab people. And influenced by the Joker, who's of course not Japanese, so you kind of lose out on that. But these other candidates, I'm not sure there are 56 candidates. This is the largest election in the history of the Tokyo's gubernatorial race. And I think that it's going to be a wild one. And if you are coming to Japan, if you're coming to Tokyo and then at any given time there's like a million tourists in Tokyo. I think because the 3 million are visiting Japan, over 3 million every month right now, you're going to be welcomed to some really loud speakers coming soon to a street near you. Because when Tokyo has elections it gets loud. And I'm guessing that Governor Koike is going to be on top of a car with white gloves on and a sash across her chest saying Governor, telling about the policies going on. And so are all these other 56 candidates. And I, I, your humble correspondent on the ground here in Tokyo ever since, through the last four or five years when you even couldn't come to Japan, will be there to cover if AI Mayor, who I secretly support, although this is a public livestream, I will cover. I can't vote anyway. Sorry, AI Mayor. I will cover your. Your. Your press conference or whatever. If you, AI Mayor, get on top of a car with a megaphone and your mask, I will be there to cover and support you. Because I think AI, I think most Japanese people are rational people. And through AI, perhaps that's the answer. At least it's worth investigating. I'm on your side. AI for Tokyo writes in Dumbo. Dumbo writes in Dumbo, wrote that. It's hard to keep that in there.

00:15:39 Caller (New Hampshire): Thank you for your program. If you're ever in the state of New Hampshire, you're always welcome here. You're a show.

00:15:49 John Daub: Well, that was very nice. Thank you very much for that. I'm looking more for questions too. I love the encouragement. Keep it coming. Ask me some questions. I'll play them here as well. And we got this one. I think this is from Daniel. Let's see. There's one from Daniel here.

00:16:10 Caller (Daniel, Kentucky): Yes, calling from Naval Kentucky. Be in Kichijoji in September. Think I'll learn a guitar from you.

00:16:22 John Daub: All right. Kichijoji. A really fun place to go and visit. I think he. He said he was bringing me a guitar. All right. We can jam. I can't play. I have a violin. I can't play that either. Get it at an auction site for $20. 20 years ago, actually. I always thought if I had a violin, I would learn how to play, but then I found that I just didn't have the time. Anyways, I appreciate the messages. Keep them coming. They come to our server, we can filter through them. But I would love it if you have some travel questions to ask me. I'll play it here, answer it for you every time we have a live stream. It's kind of a fun thing to do. And Raymond Centeno. Thank you. Why is the yellow candidate or the repeat one? I think this is just. I don't think this is a candidate. I think it's just blank space that they use for public service messages. This is one about NHK that I think very few Japanese support publicly funding NHK because NHK is very more left leaning. It's the same thing with Canada and the Canadian politics. And by the way, the Liberals took it on the chin in the St. Paul by election, didn't I? I saw this coming a mile away. Justin Trudeau is. Is an albatross, man. I'm not for. It's just time for a change. I'm not gonna say if I'm Liberal or Conservative. I'm just gonna say I think Canadians need a change, like asap, and they should call an election right now. And AI should. Mayor should be a candidate there too. I think it's time, Mr. Trudeau. I think it's time you did. Take a hike. I'm not even Canadian. Oh, Jason, I love you. All right, see everybody. I'll see you in another live stream real soon. Matane. I'd run. Can I run as a. Can I run, Jason? Run as the AI mayor of Canada? I guess anybody can run in Canada now. In Tokyo, even AI can run. And that's pretty cool. See you.