The Japanese political situation
since 1954
Japanese Primer ministers
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Yoshida Shigeru (1878-1967)
Premier Yoshida's policy of close collaboration with the U.S. was
subjected to strong criticism by dissidents within the Liberal party during
the second half of 1954. In late November the insurgent Liberals formed
the Japan Democratic Party. Premier Yoshida, who was removed as head of
the Liberal party a few days later, resigned the Premier-ship in early
December after failing to muster a majority in the diet.
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Hatoyama Ichiro (1883-1959)
Subsequently, by virtue of Socialist party support, the Democratic
Party leader Hatoyama was elected. He promised, in exchange for Socialist
support, to dissolve the diet in January 1955 and hold national elections.
The Democratic Party failed to win a majority in the diet in the
election held in February 1955, but with Liberal support Hatoyama was returned
to the primer ship. The Liberal (conservative) had to reorganize in order
to counter the socialists. In November 1955, the liberals (Yoshida’s clan)
and Democrats (Hotoyama) formed the Liberal Democratic Party (L.D.P).
The policy of L.D.P was to concentrate mainly on economic productions.
Until the first oil crisis Japan had more than 10% growth annually. At
the meantime, the major dilemma was the Foreign policy issue.
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Kishi Nobusuke (1896–1987), a law college of Tokyo University graduated
grained the power. He became L.D.P president and Prime Minister in 1957,
but widespread public agitation over the new United States-Japan Security
Treaty forced Kishi to resign from both posts in 1960. Hayato Ikeda succeeded
him.
Ikeda and Sato Eisaku were determinate to emphasize Japan’s economic
development and maintained a close relationship with the U.S.
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Ikeda Hayato (1899–1965) was a moderate state man. Before became
Premier, he had several important post that including finance minister
(1949–52, 1956–57) and international trade and industry minister (1959–60).
He emphasized economic progress during his term in office. In1964 Hayato
Ikeda health forced him to resign, and Eisaku succeed.
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Sato Eisaku (1901–1975) hold a variety of ministerial posts in the
next several governments, including minister of construction (1952–53),
minister of finance (1958–60), and minister of science and technology (1963–64).
He negotiated an agreement that called for the normalization of South Korean–Japanese
relations, and in 1969 he signed a treaty with the United States that led
to the reestablishment of Japanese sovereignty in Okinawa. Yet, Sato did
not predict the public outcry against a provision in the Okinawa agreement
that allowed U.S. forces to remain on the island, and he was forced to
resign in 1972 after the treaty took effect.
At the meantime the Israeli-Arab War of 1973 broke out.
The first Oil Crisis. Japan’s vulnerability appeared with it,
it was the end of Japanese economic miracle. It forced Japanese industries
to seek a larger foreign market and concentrates its production on high
tech.
Tanaka had an interesting background, born to a poor rural family,
he moved to Tokyo at the age of 15 and by 1937 had established his own
construction firm. Before the prime ship (1972–74) he was the Minister
of M.I.T.I. Thus, as a man of commerce, his was the ideal candidate during
this time of international business crisis. During his mandate, even though
Japan discovered a negative growth in 1974, over all, his policy was successful.
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Controlled inflation.
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Controlled pollution, urban environment and emphasized the development
into rural area.
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In the foreign issue, he recognized the Peking government after the
Nixon’s visit.
In 1974 as a result of alleged financial malfeasance or improprieties
he resigned.
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Miki Takeo or Mr. Clean took power. As a compromised candidate who
had 37 years of Diet experience, L.D.P used him as a transition then he
was overthrown.
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Fukuda Takeo a rival of Tanaka, Ohira Masavoshi and Suzuki Zenko
took power successively.
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Nakasone Yasuhiro (1918–) succeeded Zenko as Prime Minister in 1982,
for the reason that he is ally of Kakuei Tanaka. He increased Japan's military
strength and established closer ties with the U.S. and with China. He resigned
in 1987.
Japanese political parties
Liberal Democratic Party and the koenkai
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L.D.P is firstly a pro-American, anti- communist party. It is the
main political party in Japan; it has a similar situation with the Institutional
Revolutionary Party of Mexico and the Christian Democrat of Italy. L.D.P
virtually has no political ideology but embraces the traditional conservatism.
L.D.P main opposition according to the author is from the party itself.
The party’s domination over Japanese political arena is also undermined
by corruption and scandal (bribery, insider trading, and adultery) among
its faction leadership.
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Koenkai is the personal support groups. Without it, no one would
be able to gain election. It is also a mirror of factionalism within the
L.D.P.
Opposition parties to L.D.P
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J.S.P
Japan Socialist Party. Used be a popular party with a strong ideology,
it is the largest opposition party to L.D.P. J.S.P is supported by the
largest labour federation of Japan (Sohyo).
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D.S.P
The Democratic Socialist Party (a breakaway J.S.P group). More
moderate and supported by the second largest labour union (Domei). D.S.P
has a close ideal with Komeito and different foreign policy with J.C.P.
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J.C.P
Japan Communist Party has a strong individual membership. It is
considered in the left of the socialists
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Komeito or Clean government
The enemy of J.C.P. Considered as the right side of the socialists.
The Japanese economy
The main governmental apparatus
Ministry of International Trade and Industry, it is described as
the maestro that orchestrates Japanese industrial policy. It emphasizes
on a cooperation between industrials and government rather than regulation
and anti-monopoly as the case of its western counterparts. However, it
is loosing its influence over keiretsu(large business conglomerates or
cartels organized around banks, industrial firms, and trading companies).
Ministry of Finance. It concentrates primarily on the fiscal issue
and monetary policy in the purpose of to operate the Japanese economic.
In sum, the M.I.T.I and M.O.F are the twin brothers that control
and operate the Japanese economical affaires.
The private influence
It is the largest industrial organization in Japan. The purpose of
the Federation of Economic Organizations is to ensure that business has
an influence over L.D.P.
Japanese news media
This is the Japanese largest daily with over 8 million readers.
The second largest daily with over 7 million readers.
Nippon Hoso Kyokai or Japan Broadcasting Corporation. It is a public
network, financed by a monthly fee. It has 2 television stations and three
radio networks.
Overall the Japanese news media enjoys a freedom of expression,
thank to Uncle Sam.
Japanese legal system
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Japanese law is based on the postwar constitution.
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It is free from any political interference.
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In addition it is protect by the Supreme Court’s right to judicial
review. It gives the judiciary the right to determine the constitutionality
of all legations.
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Family Court has the responsibility to solve the domestic affairs
such as divorce.
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The Justice Ministry organizes the hierarchy of courts and their
procurators but the police under the National Public Safety Commission
conduct the investigation.
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The Japanese courts have been less hesitant over interpretation of
constitutional right by comparing with its western counterparts.
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The chief Judge of the Supreme Court is selected by the cabinet and
appointed by the Emperor himself.
Citizens’ movement or Shimin undo
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It is a public interest group or a pressure group.
