Ahead of the Tokyo gubernatorial election, residents in the capital are seeing duplicates of the same poster — some of which are unrelated to the poll — dominating half of the wooden boards set up for candidates in the race, as a minor party takes advantage of a legal loophole.

Curious passersby are posting on social media pictures of such boards — placed by the local election commission in highly visible locations, such as next to schools and parks and along sidewalks — and questioning whether such a practice is allowed under election law.

The short answer is yes.