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.