Politics in Modern Japan: Development and Organization

Contents

Preface
I. The Historical Background of Contemporary Politics
The First Steps Toward Modernization
The Changing Face of Clan Politics
The Beginnings of Party Politics
The Rise of Militarism and World War II
The Postwar Reemergence of Democratic Politics
A Conservative Majority in a Two-Party System
An Era of Confusion and Uncertainty

II. Japan as a Constitutional State
The Meiji Constitution
Basic Principles of the Present Constitution and Political System

III. The Diet and Its Operation
The Bicameral Legislature and Its Organization
House Composition and the Role of the Political Parties
The Powers of the Diet and the Superiority of the House of Representatives
Actual Operation of the Diet

IV. The Electoral System and Its Problems
The Organization of National Elections
Changes and Problems in the Electoral System
Political Funds and Costly Campaigns

V. The Parliamentary Cabinet System
Designation of the Prime Minister and Formation of the Cabinet
Cabinet Responsibility and the Powers of the Prime Minister
Cabinet Authority and Administrative Organization

VI. The Present State and Trends of the Political Parties
Political Currents
The Liberal Democratic Party
The Japan Socialist Party
The Komeito
The Democratic Socialist Party
The Japan Communist Party
The New Liberal Club
The United Social Democratic Party

VII. The Local Government System and Its Development
Prewar Local Government
Postwar Local Government

Chronology of Major Political Events (1867 -1981)