Accepting Change with open arms

What are the prospects for political reform in Japan?

One party, The LDP has dominated Japan since 1955. This statement would normally allow us to assume that there is much continuity in the policies and reforms pursued in Japan. What significance does this have to the prospects of political reform?

The LDP is seen as a scattered party, wherein a leader exists, but it is not guaranteed that this leader has the support of all the factions within the party. As the party gains victory, the leader naturally becomes Prime Minister. As the proposed policies and reforms go against the likings of most of the members, the Prime Minister loses support from the party. The system is somewhat fallible as we do not know what to expect, the Prime Minister cannot pursue reforms without thorough consultation and then reaching a consensus. Support is very important, because from what we have all witnessed lack in support from both the party members and other government officials lead to the resignation of the Prime Minister.

Same theme of reforms, different methods... I believe that one factor to reckon with is the character of the respective leaders…There seems to be a trend wherein the reforms depend on the likes and dislikes of the leaders. Although most focused on fiscal reforms, difference lies in the implementation and the types of reforms. Koizumi was radical enough to propose reformist fiscal policies involving budget caps which reduced the public works and social welfare budgets during his term. His policies were resumed by PM Abe and PM Fukuda. Together with this, Abe, who used to work in diplomatic relations also focused on improving the image of Japan and repairing damaged diplomatic relations with China and Korea. The strengthening of relations with the United States was also focused on. Helping the US did not pave well for Shinzo Abe, Japanese SDF actions were perceived as violations of Article 9 and this led to much decline in the support for Abe’s administration. Today Taro Aso wants to break away from the fiscal reforms Koizumi started, and instead follow basic fiscal policies which call for the drafting of more stimulus packages. Taking a look on the lighter side of things, back when Taro Aso a self-proclaimed Otaku, was the Foreign Minister, he established the International Manga Award for non-Japanese Artists.

Whereas every politician who runs for election promises a better and reformed government, the Democratic Party of Japan offered something else. A silver lining can be seen through the personhood of Ichiro Ozawa, former LDP member and currently the head of the Democratic Party of Japan. He offered a 4 point plan to break the power of the country’s bureaucracy. The plan was to start with fixing Japanese politics. Ozawa proposed that Japan indeed needed “proper politics” and there were three pledges and seven proposals that should be met in order to have this.
Pledge 1: To issue “pension passbooks” to ensure pensions do not “vanish.”The state will take it upon itself to pay in full the benefits due.
Pledge 2: To create a society where families can feel secure in childrearing.The state will issue a per capita child allowance of 26,000 yen per month.
Pledge 3: To revive the regions through a dynamic agricultural industry.The state will adopt an “individual (household) income support system” for agriculture.
Proposal 1: Protect jobs and rectify disparities.
Proposal 2: Rectify the shortage of doctors and create healthcare that inspires peace of mind.
Proposal 3: Eliminate all administrative waste.
Proposal 4: Create a “decentralized nation” where regional affairs are decided by the regions.
Proposal 5: Reinvigorate the Japanese economy by revitalizing SMEs.
Proposal 6: Lead the world in global environmental protection.
Proposal 7: Build proactive foreign relations.
The reforms he stipulated were very much specific and it is directed more towards the welfare of the people...

I believe that the path of political reform in Japan is very unpredictable. I believe it is quite ironic how the LDP has remained in power for so long and yet Japanese politics has been very unstable over the past few years. This said instability strongly affects the policy making and the reforms pursued by the Prime Ministers. Although we can say that there is much possibility of political reform to be established, as long as the LDP stays in power, Japan will not be experiencing much change in the political arena. Japan needs to witness the rule of a new party, because even if the LDP continues to pick Japan from the economic slump they are in, fact still remains that the LDP has been weak in keeping political stability. The LDP as party should first change its ways before it can change Japan and bring back the greatness it once had. The Japanese people will be the judge if they are indeed willing to accept change, or if they want to continue and live under the leadership of the LDP.