Abstract
The 2013 House of Councillors Election was the first election after the legalization of “Internet campaign” in Japan. Recent Internet campaigns have been conducted using social media and widespread mobile Internet service. This paper investigated how candidates utilized Twitter - widely used social media service that is characterized by its openness, equality, and power to spread information. It especially focuses on who among candidates were more active on Twitter, and what candidates tweeted about. The analysis of the activeness has revealed that young candidates, candidates from some smaller parties, candidates in competitive district or PR lists were more likely to be participating on Twitter. The computerized content analysis of candidates'’ tweets has revealed that majority of tweets were about campaign schedule and report, while the number of tweets discussing policy issues were small. Candidates from some smaller parties have made use of the interactivity of Twitter to communicate with their constituencies.
