1. Joe Meis Dylan Hoffman Phil Fischer
Japan
Joe Meis
Dylan Hoffman
Phil Fischer

2. Early Japanese Government
Japan is a parliamentary democracy
Japanese state was founded by Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C.
First political system had an
emperor who ruled by divine
right.
Japan did not open to any
significant Western contacts
until 1853.

3. Early Japanese Government
United States occupied Japan for seven years after their defeat in World War II.
During this time social, political, and economic reforms took place.
Japan is now the leading democracy and economic power in the non-Western world.
Tokyo

4. The Constitution Adopted in 1947.
Rejects the earlier scheme of government.
Today, emperor has no power to govern.
Declares the basic freedoms. (Like the USA’s Bill of Rights.)
Japan has only a “self- defense” military force established in 1954.

5. The National Diet Japan’s parliament House of Councillors- upper house
House of Representatives- lower house
Like Britain, lower house has more power

6. House of Councillors Has prestige but little power
Serve an advisory role.
Provide a forum for the country’s leaders to discuss issues of concern.

7. House of Representatives
Can make or break prime minister.
Lower house has power to make treaties, raise funds, and appropriate money.
Both houses pass bills
Lower house can override a negative vote in upper house by passing two-thirds majority.
480 seats in lower house

8. Consensus Politics
Japanese society places great emphasis on avoiding confrontation.
Concensus: Broad agreement on public questions.

9. Executive Functions House of Representatives chooses prime minister.
Prime minister appoints members of the cabinet.
Dissolution: The power of the Prime Minister to dissolve the House of Representatives.

10. The Bureaucracy Technocrats: experts in administrative affairs.
Jobs are highly prized by Japanese.
It plays a key role in Japan’s economy.

11. Political Parties Dominated by one party: the Liberal Democrats.
Started in 1955 and was merged from several parties.

12. The Courts Independent and patterned on American model.
Have the power of judicial review.
Rarely strikes down acts of the Diet.

13. Regional and Local Government
Prefectures: The 47 political subdivisions into which Japan is divided.
Each district has an elected governor.
Prefectures control high schools.
Municipalities elect mayors and deal with local issues.