When Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi argued before the country’s parliament last month that requiring candidates to disclose prior citizenship would violate “equality before the law,” she framed the issue as one of fairness. In a democracy, however, withholding basic biographical information from voters is not fairness — it is a failure of transparency.
The question is not whether naturalized citizens should serve in public office. In a modern democracy, they should have every opportunity to do so. Many bring international experience, a well-informed world view, linguistic ability and a deep, deliberate commitment to the country they chose to join.
The issue is whether voters have the right to know the backgrounds of the people seeking to govern them. In any healthy democracy, the answer is yes.
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