Home Features Japan’s popular ramen chain offers free noodle refills to entice young voters

Japan’s popular ramen chain offers free noodle refills to entice young voters

Ippudo, a popular ramen chain, will serve noodle refills or offer one boiled egg topping for free to those who have cast their ballot

A popular ramen chain in Japan is offering free noodle refills to voters, especially young people, during the July 10 House of Councillors election.

Ippudo, a popular ramen chain, will serve noodle refills or offer one boiled egg topping for free to those who have cast their ballot from July 10 to 24.

A report on The Mainichi, Japan’s national daily, said people who have voted in the election are eligible to receive the service as many times as they want during the period.



Customers only need to show official proof that they voted or a photo that proves they have cast their ballot.

This is the fifth time for Ippudo to offer a discount to voters in national elections since 2016, said the Fukuoka-based Chikaranomoto Holdings Co., operator of the ramen chain.

Other businesses are also offering similar services to encourage voters, especially young people, to go to the polls.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the turnout for the House of Representatives’ election last October was 55.93 percent for single-seat constituencies.

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Broken down by age bracket, the figure was the lowest among people in their 20s at 36.50 percent, followed by teenagers (18 and 19) at 43.21 percent, and those in their 30s at 47.12 percent.

The turnout among people in their 20s has remained below 50 percent in the past 30 years.

“We hope this will create an opportunity for people to cast their ballots, even if voting has not become customary for them. We want them to view it like an outing, and enjoy ramen after voting,” read a statement from the ramen chain operator.

Several countries from across Asia have also used restaurants, food chains, and business establishments to promote voting.

During the national elections in the Philippines in May, special discounts, freebies, and promotions were offered by hamburger chains, ice cream parlors, and donut shops, among others, to those who can prove that they have cast their votes.

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