A brief insight into modern Japanese politics

[ojwk]

Japan has a parliamentary government, which consists of three branches. The executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. Due to historical reasons, the system is similar to that in the United Kingdom. There is dispute as to whether Japan is a constitutional monarchy or a republic.

Legislative branch
By the Constitution, the Diet is the most powerful of the three branches and consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Diet directs the Emperor in the appointment and removal of the chiefs of the executive and judicial branches.

At present, the following political parties are represented in the National Diet, along with Non-partisans.

* Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, conservative)
* Democratic Party (DPJ, liberal/social-democratic)
o the Independent's Club sits with the Democrat Party.
* New Clean Government Party (New Kōmeitō, theocratic Buddhist/conservative)
* Japanese Communist Party (JCP, communist)
* Social Democrat Party (SDP, social-democratic)
* Liberal League (LL, conservative)

Note: The New Conservative Party (Hoshu Shintō) merged with the Liberal Democrat Party of Japan on November 10, 2003, after its failure to win more than 4 seats in the election that year.

The LDP has been the dominant party for most of the post-war period since 1955, and is composed of a several factions which are oriented along personalistic rather than ideological lines.

Far right Imperialists can often be seen spewing out propaganda from notorious black buses. This one was photographed outside Nara JR station.

Adapted from http://www.cosmicbuddha.com/blog/archives/2004_06.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Japan

[MattyQ]

I don't really understand where the debate in Japan not being a constitutional monarchy could begin, as it basically falls under the dictionary definition. But then, America almost falls under the dictionary definition of Fascism, and many would debate that.

[uzshka]

Originally Posted by ojwk

Japan has a parliamentary government, which consists of three branches. The executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. Due to historical reasons, the system is similar to that in the United Kingdom. There is dispute as to whether Japan is a constitutional monarchy or a republic.

Legislative branch
By the Constitution, the Diet is the most powerful of the three branches and consists of two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Diet directs the Emperor in the appointment and removal of the chiefs of the executive and judicial branches.

At present, the following political parties are represented in the National Diet, along with Non-partisans.

* Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, conservative)
* Democratic Party (DPJ, liberal/social-democratic)
o the Independent's Club sits with the Democrat Party.
* New Clean Government Party (New Kōmeitō, theocratic Buddhist/conservative)
* Japanese Communist Party (JCP, communist)
* Social Democrat Party (SDP, social-democratic)
* Liberal League (LL, conservative)

Note: The New Conservative Party (Hoshu Shintō) merged with the Liberal Democrat Party of Japan on November 10, 2003, after its failure to win more than 4 seats in the election that year.

The LDP has been the dominant party for most of the post-war period since 1955, and is composed of a several factions which are oriented along personalistic rather than ideological lines.

Far right Imperialists can often be seen spewing out propaganda from notorious black buses. This one was photographed outside Nara JR station.

Adapted from http://www.cosmicbuddha.com/blog/archives/2004_06.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Japan

lol, i shouldve seen this one coming...

[ojwk]

Originally Posted by MattyQ

I don't really understand where the debate in Japan not being a constitutional monarchy could begin, as it basically falls under the dictionary definition. But then, America almost falls under the dictionary definition of Fascism, and many would debate that.

The Emperor basically has no power and is purely a figurehead unlike in the UK where the Queen does still have some power under old English law. I understand where you are comming from as Japan does seem to exactly fit into the catagory of a constitutional monarchy.