Tokyo Comedian Teaches 270 Students Democracy Through Laughter

When 270 middle schoolers gathered for a democracy lesson in Tokyo this week, they didn't expect to be laughing their way through political debates.

Comedian and social entrepreneur Nana Takamatsu brought comedy duo Nagareboshi to Bunka Gakuen University Suginami Junior High School on Wednesday for an unconventional civics class. The 32-year-old turned what could have been a dry lecture into an engaging mix of comedy sketches and interactive quizzes about elections.

Students eagerly raised their hands throughout the session, sharing their hopes for changing society. The highlight came when everyone, including teachers, drew role-playing cards assigning them identities like housewives, company presidents, and high school students for mock political debates.

"Young people, who make up a small share of the population, should go to elections and make their presence felt," Takamatsu told the crowd. Her message clearly resonated with 15-year-old Misaki Matsuda, who left the class fired up about voting.

"I definitely want to go to the election, which is a chance to express my opinions as a citizen," Matsuda said. She pointed out that with politicians averaging much older ages, young voices matter even more in shaping the future.

The Ripple Effect

Takamatsu has spent the past decade bringing this energizing approach to schools nationwide, reaching about 100,000 students total. She's noticed a shift: young people are increasingly interested in social issues, but many still hesitate to get involved because they doubt their ability to create change.

That's exactly the barrier her comedy-infused classes aim to break down. By making politics approachable and even fun, she's helping students see themselves as active participants rather than passive observers.

"I think even a single vote by me can make a difference in politics," Matsuda said after the session. Her confidence reflects the transformation Takamatsu hopes to spark in every student she reaches.

Youth participation in politics "leads to a society that makes us all happy in the long term," Takamatsu emphasized, reminding everyone that today's students are tomorrow's voters and leaders.