It's About Time?

Japan has been dominated by the Liberation Democratic Party (LDP) since 1955 and lost power in a brief period of time in 1993. Nevertheless, they had the majority rule and the power structure has been restored back to the LDP. Until at some point, for the first time in Japanese history, the Upper and Lower House has been divided by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and by the LDP respectively. This is somewhat interesting because this has not happened before in Japanese politics history. To some it is somewhat frustating due to the fact that whenever the Lower House passes a policy, it gets denied or gets a veto by the Opposition. Thus there is a problem with a consensus between parties simply because they have different views. On the other hand, it proves to be normal and healthy since after Japan is now a democratic country. Now, people are trying to break the regime of the LDP because they want a fair run by the people and not by the bureaucrats. This is a Japan that Ichiro Ozawa hoped for Japan.

There are many aspects on why Japan is stuck on a vacuum which they cannot escape despite their efforts. Some claim that it is the policies and the system is the problem. But if you ask me, it is not the problem at all but the problem lies within the party itself specifically the LDP. There have been power struggles and pressures toward the Prime Minister whenever there are lowering of votes for him or whenever scandals and controversies arise around the issue. Another reason for Japan's downfall is that they are not use to experiencing these problems unlike other developed countries do so that is why Japan is making such a fuss over the issue. They are at a defecit, pension problems, high unemployment rate (atleast to them) are some problems to name a few. An old Japanese saying, "deru kugi ga utameru" or "a nail that sticks out, gets hammered down. I think this is one of the reasons why Japan hasn't reached a reform. It is typical Japanese to speak out their opinions in such matters. A lot of people are even confused to whether they choose to side the LDP or the DPJ. On one hand the LDP has been long established and made Japan to what it is now. On another would be something for a change which I hope for the better.

There are many efforts to try to change Japan. A man named Ichiro Ozawa made a difference by forming an Opposition that is competent enough to almost rival the LDP. Some others would be Shinzo Abe, Junichiro Koizumi & Aso Taro want to have a military back in Japan for defense, better relations in neighboring countries especially China. Not only that but strengthen ties with the USA as well. Change is actually good because I think that nothing is permanent. What may be good now might not be good tomorrow right? For instance as I've pointed out that the LDP's system and reign in governing Japan proved to be effective and good for a short period of time but in the long run, it has been the exact opposite in which it became a problem. There are many more prospects of reform in Japan but these men have stood out of the crowd and made drastic decisions for they believe that Japan would escape from the status quo from the LDP to become a just and freeer nation. It brings about the question: is it about time for Japan to reform? Would we see another Tokugawa Regime being replaced by the Meiji Restoration again? What do you think?

The LDP: A landslide to success or failure?

The LDP or better known as the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan currently rules over the majority in the House of Representatives not only the last 2005 elections but over decades before as well. At 1st glance, this seemed like a normal thing since people have a certain 'favoritism' in parties or better yet, the most popular party in Japan after all they had an outstanding victory over election except in 1993 for just a short period of time. Nevertheless, what is skeptical in Japan is that the LDP didnt actually won the elections because of their popularity. They are in fact the least favorite party of them all and some even say they hate the most. So what are the many reasons why the LDP still remains its longevity?

After seeing a video that talks about the LDP, I found that there are three initial reasons: the first is that the LDP has been successful in the economic developments throughout the postwar years and this may be a reason despite the people hate them. The second would be that the LDP has been supporting Japanese culture and further enriching it. Lastly, the LDP is really effective in making policies in governing Japan; making effective rules and regulations that seems to be working for the people. So why change the system? If the Japanese change the system, it doesn't give them assurance that a new ruling party would be for the better or for worse. Thinking about the worse part is something very Japanese, they are known to be cautious and unrisky people so this may be a reason why the LDP still remains at the top. This can be backed up from the fact that Japanese are great savers than any other country even in the domestic level. Yet, there is a crisis in Japan that recently there had been low voting rates in the elections where there are more abstain rather than voting neither parties. It may be that people are already tired of voting because they knew for a fact that despite their efforts for a change, the LDP will still remain at top of the majority which I will explain in the next paragraph.

What's stunning to me is that the opposition party has a better voting rate than the LDP as a whole party voting but when it comes to candidate voting, the people prefer an LDP candidate rather than the opposition candidate. There are many reasons: One is that the LDP running candidates are better, in the author's term, "quality" than the opposition. In terms of quality is that LDP candidates have already contributed in a prefectural projects such as bridges, roads etc., they were government official thus giving them an edge on credibility and experience and lastly, what is more surprising is that the LDP has a LOT of connections with the government and central bank which they can uphold their promises to the people rather than the opposition. This is what the people are calling a pipeline system where the locals ask for help with an LDP representative, then that representative would get in touch with the said government and central bank to ask for funds or help and then it will be given to the locals. This is why I think that the rural section has a lot of support to the LDP because the agricultural sector in Japan is highly subsidized and protected even up to now. It is because the LDP is helping these farmers get what they want and this is why farmers that have their own land are finacially stable.

To cut the long story short, the LDP has reigned over the decades simply because they are already established with the people running Japan and they only need to do is execute the plans and innovate rules, etc. I mean despite the global recession, Japan is still an economic power the only problem is, there are new rising economic powers like China and India. Besides, how can the opposition fight against an established party? It is like Toyota vs. Chery in choosing car preference. Right now, for me Japan isn't ready for a quick change like what happened in the Tokugawa regime to the Meiji Restoration. Nevertheless the DPJ still has hope for more "fairer" and equal Japan. There may be hope for the reform of Japan because recently the LDP has frequently changing prime ministers and facing problems that are very difficult to address. Yet we cannot solely blame who governs Japan for there might be other factors of this recent failure.

Japan's Constitution: to Change or Not to Change, That is the Question

Before, Japan was well known to be a very militaristic country, having a formidable army rivaling that of the US during WWII. Imperial Japan then had one of the most powerful unit which was called in English, the "divine wind" or 'kamikaze'. They were a special batallion in the fleet which were one of the best fighting air units of Imperial Japan. Gunning down US destroyers then finishing them off by literally crashing down on the US navy. These soldiers were willing to die for a reason and that reason was for their country; much like the modern day suicide bomber. Yet, are these actions noble? In the eyes of the outside world, they may be referred to as "evil" but in the eyes of the Japanese, they are immortalized and are even viewed as heroes who died for the country. Obviously, we can say that history has indeed played a big role and changed the world in the eyes and hearts of many people. Not just long ago, a director named Taku Shinso reenacted the story on how Kamikaze's life was like during the war. The movie was called "I Go to Die For You". Just by seeing the title, you could criticize that it is somewhat like a propaganda were the youth are shown a different view of what the war was like; honorizing these so-called heroes. I could only say one thing in Japanese is that they manipulate history in their own point of view and trying to forget or even cover up their atrocities of war.

Now, Japan has renounced war as a means to deal with international relations in Article 9 in the Constitution. Thus, instead of having a military, they were changed into or reshaped as the SDF. Recently, many Japanese youths are drafting themselves in the SDF because of many reasons. One reason from a recruit, Matsu, said that he is willing to die for the country because he felt the need to protect the ones he loved. It is surprising because people thought of him as a regular student, would go to college and someday work in a common company. But it was his passion for going to be in the SDF. For him, dieing and serving the army is an honor.



Recent events has changed the people's perspective in viewing on what's happening in the world today is because mainly of the change in the balance of power. China has increased its budget on military funds while Japan is doing the opposite. Another would be the North Korea launched a missle towards Japanese territory which made the people more and more concerned in the issue whether or not it is time for a charter change. Japanese want to act now in an arms race because China and North Korea would target Japan. I think Japanese are worried about this is because knowing the past, these were the countries that Japan had made atrocities with fearing that the two Leftist countries would 'return the favor' to Japan. Yet there are a lot of criticisms for this issue is that one, Japan and US alliance is one the strongest combined military might of today. Japan's SDF is far more superior than that of China's "number is power" army. Japan might have reduced its spending but for a pacifist country the digits are also alarming than that of China. According to Yoichi Masazoe, a Japanese member of the parliament, Japan should address to these problems before it might be too late. Ofcourse, knowing the Japanese pride is a big factor indeed for them. I sensed that it was humiliating that in their deployment in Iraq, they felt weak and helpless.

From the Article 9 Association member, Makoto Oda, says that despite all from above stated, Japan should never go to war again. It should remain independent and pursue for peace. For if Japan would go to war again, it might be the end of Japan as we know it. I think it is because he has witnessed the pain and suffering after the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and he wants it not to happen again, especially the youth today. They do not need to experience a that life as they did. Sadly, the youth don't see it that way. And this is one of the reasons why Japan doesn't want to engage in war again.


Another might be that the LDP has been ruling the Parliament and a change in the Constitution might mean a change in the office. Besides, people are now happy and used to the current system they are experiencing right now, so why change? When the Japanese were introduced to democracy, they opened up their arms and embraced in and turned it into somewhat Japanese. I think these people realized that it is time for another change because Japan learned its lesson in the events after the WWII; much like when Feudal Japan decided to be "renovated" by the Meiji Restoration. I think this is also a reason why the LDP has still a high number of officials in the Diet mainly because of it. Japan is populated more with old people, usually the people who had experienced the aftermath of war and would be happy for it not to happen again even though as I've learned that not all people are happy with the LDP but it is more like there are no one else better to replace them. Japan is always willing to change for the better and as of now, we won't likely see Japan to change it's Constitution. For many outcomes of what they want to contribute for their country is all linked by the word: Love your country even if you die for your country.

Below are links to some videos relating to what I have written:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLTcq8FQvNs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kztlqf0-Xps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvyFw_8w-G4

Don't forget to leave comments! :D

Japanese Politics: Japan is Rashomon?

Before the horrible events of WWII, Japan or the Land of the Rising Sun was a rich and strong militarist country. But the postwar years, the horrible atrocities that they had done to Asia was simply unforgivable and even now, Japan has never said "sorry", "forgive me", "gomenasai", "moshiwakegozaimasen", "yurushite kudasai" or what ever. They would only visit the Yasukuni Shrine and bow to the people. I will try to explain why they haven't done this simple set of words later as we progress.

Before I discuss, I found it hard to believe that this movie had anything to do with Japanese Politics but my opinion changed soon after. So now I would like everyone to see the movie first before I proceed any further:

*due to long uploading, video temporarily unavailable.

After seeing the movie, I came to a realization that the movie can be related to Japanese politics with a little deep interpretation and imagination. I would explain each line they said or acts they portrayed in the movie that MIGHT relate to Japanese politics.

In the movie, the traveling man was concerned by the two men (priest and woodcutter) on what happened to them. He listened to every story and judged it after he heard each one. In my point of view this act is an act of 'groupism' in Japan were each member of the group would listen and carefully decide on the conclusion. I read in an article that Japan has a high voting rate for subnational elections and this is the fact that Japanese, are concerned for the community in which they dwell in.

The conflict itself for me is portraying the conflict of today's Japanese bureaucracy themselves, they have their own view or opinion in each solution to a problem for their country. I mean there is a clash between the LDP and DPJ. Knowing that they are rival parties creates an unconsenus to the problem or in other words, they are stuck and just beat around the bush. I think that matters in politics is a stuggle of power on WHO gets the last word in running the country.

Another line from the movie that I drew out was that "Women are weak by nature". This shows that coming from history even up to now, in Japan women are looked downed upon by men. It is in their culture that men always get their way. In the woman's story she CANNOT decide for her own to marry the bandit and also, men devalue women when she's been with other men. Even if the women are tormented by their husbands because they couldn't disagree to the man's decision. For us it may be un-gentleman, but it is in their culture. I mean even in the Diet, I believe that there are a few percentage to none of women because women's rights are unequal. Even the family wage concept is still implemented by some companies. Ofcourse, things are different now that women have now some equal rights in their country but not to the extent that they are at the level of Japanese men.

I want to also share that Japan's government is a collection of the greatest minds across the nation because they pass people because of their skill unlike here in the Philippines, the members are somewhat have 'good' connections with the president. Japan has become effective as a nation because the people running the country: the bureaucrats, the politicians and companies all work hard together to develop their country. I think what makes Japan different from us is that Japan loves our country and it is hard to admit that we do not love our own.

Humans are always self-interested. In a reading, there stated that the world is indeed a dog-eat-dog world just like the traveling man said, "If you're not selfish you won't survive". Even the priest lost faith in man after hearing this, since he had a very strong faith in humanity that despite selfish actions of the woodcutter, there is indeed still good in each man and this symbolizes that even the Japanese before did something wrong and couldn't do anything in the past; make amends by giving asia develpment projects, scholarships, and the like just like the woodcutter getting the baby.

Lastly, I think that Japan has a deep history that helped change Japan drastically. One good example that the people wanted change was at the Meiji Restoration. People do need to change and for the better. Now Japan changed again and renounced war as a means. I think the woodcutter in the movie symbolizes Japan; transforming and changing for the future(baby). A new beginning of the day shines and starts from Land of the rising sun.



here are some videos:

Yasukuni
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQVBZ3CcOUE

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WElLqEDP1Jc

Why Japan, Why Compare Japanese Politics?

Why Japan? First, Japan by 1980’s was established as world’s 2nd largest economy. Second, in 1982 Japan’s political experience was becoming more complex rather than the pre-1982 era. Since Japan politics is difficult to comprehend, I believe that there are two factors that we should have a background to comprehend the deeper understanding of Japanese politics: Japan’s historical background and the behavior of Japanese society.

Indeed, each and every one of us disregards history due to the fact that history deals with the past. But if you ask me, history is crucial not only in politics but in other fields as well. Knowledge in history could avoid horrible events that have occurred in the past such as the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If Japan didn’t surrendered at that time, there would be more casualties. This proves that the decision makers do change depending upon the circumstances. History also helps us try to study and learn how other countries developed. And most importantly, understanding history is the key factor in understanding politics. According to James Stockwin in his book entitled “Governing Japan”, he points out that history determines a states behavior because of factors like war, alliances, neighboring country’s behavior, and the like. Another would be history can even be a tool for political uses. In one article that I have read about the meaning of samurai, its code (similar to the code of chivalry to the knights in the West) was used as propaganda to the soldiers during the WWII era.

Japanese politics is really hard to explain to other people namely because Japanese society is really different because of three things: One, they are group oriented in the sense that they want to distinct in a within a group; doing their part for the group and mainly is that they are very loyal in a group. Two, one factor that we foreigners should be aware of is that in Japan age does matter or there are assumptions of hierarchy. I find that during my early months stay in Japan, with the exception of my sensei and friends, I found that it is really hard to converse with other people because they have a lot of levels of speaking when addressing people; sonkeigo, kenjogo, nichijo kaiwa to name a few. It is not only confusing but hard to fully master it; even to Japanese themselves; what more to us foreigners? Nevertheless, it really matters to them how you address each one according to their rank, atleast in the political world. Lastly, Japanese are well known to be disciplined and obligated in their work. This is because they have this sense of mutual obligation and they do care for others or atleast within their group. I believe that Japanese are independent but are not selfish. I remember one time during my stay that I was walking on my way home with a friend and we carried a lot of groceries and got caught up with the rain when we were halfway home, a Japanese lady was kind enough to stop her car just to give us her umbrella. Japanese society for me is as diverse and complex as Japanese politics.

Why Japanese politics? Japan for over 37-years is under the majority of the LDP. This is because not for their good leadership skills but the people have the desire for reformation. However, to fully understand Japan’s motives, we need to use comparative politics. I think that comparative politics is a good way in understanding one’s own politics because it gives you a picture or a standpoint to where we are ‘in’ right now. By this, a country could apply the other country’s success and avoid its flaws. Another would be that if we can compare the politics of Japan with other countries, then we might be able to understand how the Japanese react to decision making procedures in the globalized world. Knowing Japan’s politics would help us understand, hypothesize and predict Japan’s plans and motives. I could say that Japan’s politics is diverse and complex because of their long history with other countries. After all, Japan over the years was heavily influenced by the Chinese. They even adapted Kanji as part of their writing and the religion; then followed by Japan’s first encounter with Western influence namely the Spanish and Portuguese influences on Christianity. I believe that religion is powerful in governing people in a way because it changes a person’s view on an issue. This is why when Tokugawa regime came to isolation and persecuted the Christians and its missionaries because religion has more hold of the people. One good thing about the Tokugawa regime was there was a long lasting peace. But not all good things last. After the Tokugawa regime, the Meiji renovation was a big step in changing the system and modernization of Japan; a desperate attempt to ‘catch up’ with developed nations. After this came WWI and WWII. WWII Japan became a military nation and even up to now, there are some Japanese who want Japan to go back to its former self.

Politics is indeed a sensitive issue to study because explaining it is not an easy thing and since human beings have the quality to be rational and think of their own free will determining politicians’ behavior is a challenging study to handle with. This is why I think studying politics is important because we will be affected to its outcomes.