Japanese Government and Politics

This book is a comparative approach to Japanese politics. Grounded in a discussion of democracy’s historical development since the Meiji period, each chapter encourages readers to think critically and comparatively about political processes and their outcomes, situating Japan regionally and as a wealthy, democratic nation.

Introduction: Why Japan?

1: Political Foundations, the Tokugawa Period, Meiji Reforms,
Democratic Roots
Early Japan, the Emergence of Shoguns, and the Tokugawa Period
The Meiji Restoration and the Creation of a Modern Japanese State
The Meiji Constitution and “Taisho Democracy”
From Imperialism to Post-World War II Democracy

2: Postwar Political Reforms and the Remaking of Japanese Democracy
Drafting a New Constitution
US-Japan Security Treaty
Constitution and Treaty Controversies

3: Branches of Government, Political Parties, Elections
Judicial Branch
Executive and Legislative Branches: The Prime Minister and the Diet
Political Parties
Elections and Electoral Reform
Local Elections
Electoral Regulations
Voting and Running for Office
Critiques of the Party System

4: The Bureaucracy
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry
The Ministry of Finance

5: Civil Society and Political Participation
Civil Society
Mass Media
Citizen Protests
Common Political Issues

6: Defense and Foreign Relations
US-Japan Mutual Security Treaty
The Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs
Regional Relations

7: Conclusions and Looking Ahead

Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Resources for Further Study