Japan's Ruling Party to Launch TikTok Account in June

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Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party will launch its official TikTok account in June. This was revealed by Takuya Hirai, head of the LDP's Public Relations Headquarters, at an event hosted by the Chinese-owned video-sharing app on June 4.

Speaking at the event, Hirai said, "We're finally starting the LDP's official TikTok account this month." He cited the platform's "clear appeal to young people" and its "excellent algorithm" as key reasons for the move.

Economic Impact

At the event held in Tokyo, TikTok revealed its "Socio-Economic Impact Report," which outlines the app's economic and social impact in Japan. Hirai, who served as Japan's first Minister for Digital Transformation, appeared as a guest speaker.

During his remarks, Hirai highlighted a recent initiative in his home prefecture of Kagawa. Popular TikTok creators from nine countries and regions were invited to showcase the area's local charm.

"Shops and products featured by these creators garnered significant attention," he said. "In terms of prompting real-world activity, I believe the economic impact is substantial."

He also expressed optimism about future collaborations between local governments and TikTok. He linked this potential to the LDP's "Regional Revitalization 2.0" initiative, spearheaded by the Shigeru Ishiba administration.

"By expanding the number of people with ties to a region and helping them discover new value, I believe we can create meaningful opportunities moving forward," he said.

*LDP’s Takuya Hirai (center) with TikTok creators AAAtsushi and Meg Ensaka.*

Rising Creator Economy

TikTok now boasts one billion users worldwide, with around 33 million monthly users in Japan across the main app and related services. The economic report was released at a time when TikTok's influence on Japan's economy and society continues to grow.

According to the report, TikTok videos have generated economic benefits across various domestic industries. The app's estimated contribution to Japan's nominal GDP is ¥485.5 billion JPY (around $3.4 billion USD).

Nobuaki Yasunaga, Executive Officer of TikTok Japan, noted that the number of creators in Japan has risen to 2.26 million.

"What matters most for us as a platform is that an economic cycle is being created within that community," he said. He emphasized that the estimated total income of creators has reached ¥119.7 billion ($830 million)

Consumer Spending

The report also estimates that consumer spending through TikTok reached ¥237.5 billion ($1.6 billion) in 2024. This marks a 37% increase from 2023.

"TikTok is no longer just a platform for watching and enjoying videos; it's becoming a driver of economic activity," the analysis concluded.

The company is aiming for further growth in Japan by increasing the number of content creators, including political parties and local governments.

TikTok Japan's Yasunaga pointed out that the platform is unique in encouraging creators to stay in a region for an extended period and produce videos in collaboration with local governments and residents — something other video platforms don't do.

He added, "We want to continue supporting partnerships between creators and municipalities. Building trust is key. Many creators typically film in their own rooms, but by going out and meeting fans in person, they not only create real-world connections but also gain a sense of contributing to their communities through their activities."

Success Stories

At the event, popular creators and company representatives took part in a panel discussion. They shared their personal experiences while discussing the appeal and potential of TikTok.

Comments from the panel included: "It's especially effective for reaching young audiences," "Posting videos has brought in customers from overseas," and "With just a smartphone, it gave me a chance to pursue my dream through music."

Algorithm-Driven Content

Singer-songwriter Meg Ensaka, whose "Kiretemasu!" ("I'm Pissed!") series has been viewed over 600 million times across TikTok and other platforms, spoke about the platform's impact on her career.

*Meg Ensaka served as the moderator of the panel discussion.*

"Since I started posting, more people have been coming to my live shows. My songs are now reaching middle and high school students, and my fanbase has expanded. At concerts across Japan, audiences have been growing, and merchandise sales have gone up too," she said.

She also praised the platform's short video format. "TikTok is perfect for getting people who might not normally be interested to listen to your music," she said.

She added, "The algorithm evaluates content based on its own quality, so [unlike other platforms] you don't need to worry about dragging down your average view count. It encourages creators to try bold, creative expressions. Anyone could go viral tomorrow."

Author: Ryo Nishiyama, The Sankei Shimbun

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