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Study Of Modern Japanese Electoral System Reform

Posted on:2009-05-22Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:J ZhouFull Text:PDF
GTID:1116360245486614Subject:International politics
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
The essence and core of democratic politics is election. The process and effect of the reform of the election system are always the key issues of the politics. Since 1990s, with the end of cold war, the agendas for the reform of the election system have been set by the governments not only of western countries with mature election system but also of transformation countries in Eastern Europe. In Japan, the reform of the election system is the central aim of governments in early 1990s. This reform has been gained comprehensive attention in the academic and public opinion circles at home and abroad for its great intensity, far-reaching scope and deep effect. The political reform begins by the Takeshita Cabinet in 1989 and ends in December 1994 when the new election system comes into force. This is an institution transforming history of the election system reform, a policical history of political reform in Japan, and also a history of struggle for power among the Parties and statesmen.This thesis aims to explore the influence factors to the reform of election system in Japan and explain the historical process and effect of the reform. In 1925, universal adult male suffrage was established. The 1925 election statute provided for a system of medium-size, multiple-seat constituencies, each district returning from three to five members. Under this system, candidates in same Party compete intensely, which always leads to faction politics and timocracy. The Japanese were dissatisfied with the corruption caused by the long-standing governance of Japanese Liberal Democratic Party. Reform of election system was called by all Japanese people especially in the situation of economic globalization. The combined election system was adopted and went into effect to replace the long-standing multi-seat medium-sized constituency election system until 1994.Generally speaking, the Parties and incumbent councilors, who have a vested interest on the existing election system, are inclined to insist on the old institute. As a result, the reform aims to the combined election system is opposed not only by parties out of power (Socialist Party, Japanese Komeito and Communist Party) but also by the ruling party (Liberal Democratic Party). Although the Kaifu Cabinet swore to enhance the reform at all cost, the Prime Minister Kaifu had to resign for the resistance from his own Party. The Miyazawa Cabinet also failed to reform for the boycott from mighty opposition. Argument over the reform led to a split in the Liberal Democratic Party. The Party went out at last. In this situation, the opposition parties formed a coalition government for reforming. New Cabinet effected the reconciliation between the two sides of parties. In 1994, parliament passed 4 related acts and mixed-member majority(MMM)was established in the House.There had been 4 general elections since the new election system took effect in 1996. The originally planned target is not met and many unexpected consequences are led. New election system is still helpful to forming an active competition among the main political parties. And what's more, the authorities rebuild the relationship between the nation and society through this reform. We analyze the institutional structure and social structure which affect the reform of election system in Japan, study the political game process between the parties, the statemen and the interest groups and summarize the Japanese political reform mode.
Keywords/Search Tags:Japanese Politics, Political Reform, Election System, Political Process, Mixed-member majority
PDF Full Text Request
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