Japanese voter turnout gets an unexpected boost from a talking grain of rice named Komesuke

Meet Komesuke, the talking grain of rice that will supposedly empower Japanese young people to head out to the polls this weekend. Created in 2013 by the Komeito party, the fluffy bean-shaped mascot educates voter through policy videos and interviews with lawmakers. In one video, Komesuke says his political party “is doing its all to make…