Tsukuba adopts blockchain voting system. The adoption would be the first in Japan, as blockchain technology adoption sees more growth.
Blockchain Voting System In Japan
Blockchain technology is to be used to transform the voting system of Japan; the recent development is to start with Tsukuba.
Blockchain technology, the underlying technology of cryptocurrency has seen broad adoption by countries as it remains a vital tool for transforming every facet of the human society.
That has been instrumental in transforming the financial world, education system, marriage, transportation, supply chain system among others.
Tsukuba is adopting blockchain technology for voting, via an online voting system based on the use of the number identification system.
The city (Tsukuba) is well known to be a leading region in Japan for scientific research and technology development. The voting process is through a computer by placing My Number card on a card reader. The blockchain system aids the voting system against electoral malpractices.
The voting system is already tested with proper implementation in view. Tsukuba Mayor, Tatsuo Igarashi while commenting on the testing procedure stated:
“I had thought it would involve more complicated procedures, but I found that it’s minimal and easy.”
Meanwhile, some problems were encountered in the testing process, such as users forgetting their passwords for accessing the voting system.
Commenting on the voting process, Prof. Kazunori Kawamura, a specialist in the subject of online voting mentioned that “due to fears of errors, administrative organizations and election boards are likely to find it difficult to introduce these (systems),” and he further states that “It’s necessary to first enhance their reputation by using it for voting by expatriates.”
Blockchain Voting System Around The World
Even though Japan can be considered as the top leading country in the adoption of cryptocurrency, as it has adopted a national regulatory system for cryptocurrency in the country, it is coming behind some countries in the adoption of blockchain technology, with the implementation of the new voting system.
Blockchain voting system is yet to see full adoption in most countries. However, it has been tested successfully in Switzerland, Estonia and the United States.
Zug municipal in Switzerland has tested the blockchain voting system successfully with plans of full introduction soon.
Estonia has also seen its successful testing process of blockchain voting system while West Virginia in the United States has tested blockchain voting mobile application with plans to implement it in its upcoming elections.
