In August 2017, the Japanese government resigned. Why? The details of the political life of one of the most economically developed countries in the world are unknown to most Europeans. What is happening in the mysterious eastern power?
Features of Japanese democracy
Officially, the political system established in the Land of the Rising Sun in the post-war period is an Asian version of democracy. Nevertheless, the expression "Japanese democracy" sounds somewhat unusual. A detailed study of the political system of the descendants of the samurai is surprising and many questions. For fifty years, the liberal democratic party has been in power continuously. The election process at all levels is more like a ritual than a political struggle. Applicants for public office speak very little about their programs. Campaigning basically boils down to the fact that candidates bow to voters and call their name.
Eastern power vertical
Strict hierarchy and unconditional submission to leadership are the main characteristics of Japanese society. These principles are steadily respected everywhere: in political parties, and in commercial corporations, and in yakuza gangs. Any elected government official is far from independent in making decisions. First of all, he follows the instructions of the party leadership that nominated him. Japanese political organizations promote the career growth of only those members who are willing to submit to a rigid hierarchy. Ambition and independence are least welcomed in the parties of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Origin of the current Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe, the current head of the Japanese government, is far from an accidental person in the political arena. His family belongs to the elite of the Land of the Rising Sun. Kishi Kusi Nobusuke, a maternal grandfather, served as prime minister in the late 50s of the last century. Immediately after the war ended, he was suspected of involvement in the crimes of the imperial government of Japan and was arrested by the American occupation authorities. However, Kisha Nobusuke failed to prove the guilt. As head of state, he was remembered by fellow citizens for frankly pro-American politics. But in reality, Kishi Nobusuke showed his willingness to make concessions in relations with the United States solely for the sake of signing agreements favorable to his country. The father of the current head of state in the 80s of the last century held the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Japanese government.
short biography
Shinzo Abe graduated from Seikey University Law School and also studied in the United States for one year. He began his political career as secretary in the office of his father, the foreign minister. Abe joined the ranks of the Liberal Democratic Party. Subsequently, the young politician was elected to parliament. He worked in the administration of his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi. The appointment of Abe as party leader by many members of the cabinet of the Japanese government was seen as a sign that he was destined to become the next head of state. In 2006, the parliament approved his candidacy. Shinzo Abe became the first leader of the country born in the post-war period. In addition, he is the youngest statesman in this position.
Political beliefs
Shinzo Abe quickly attracted the attention of the media because of his openly right-wing views. He maintains close relations with the well-known nationalist association Nippon Kaigi. This political organization advocates the revival of the empire, the restoration of the divine status of the Japanese monarch and the establishment of Shintoism as an official state ideology. Abe shares and stubbornly defends the beliefs of Nippon Kaigi. He appointed the next leader of the ruling party, Tomomi Inada, which, in accordance with tradition, means electing her as a successor. According to press reports, Inada fully supports Abe's political views.
Corruption scandals
In 2007, the Liberal Democratic Party lost the majority of parliamentary seats in the upper house of parliament. For the first time in half a century, her power has been shaken. The popularity of the young prime minister, who promised a change for the better when he took office, declined sharply. The main reason for the loss of public confidence was corruption scandals in the highest power structures. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture hanged himself after allegations of embezzlement of funds from the state treasury. His successor also found himself at the center of a financial scandal involving donations to party funds, and resigned. Trying to restore confidence in his administration, Shinzo Abe announced the formation of a new Japanese government. However, this measure could not change the situation. A year after taking office, the Prime Minister resigned, citing health problems.
Second attempt
Abe's return to the top of the political Olympus took place in 2012. The Japanese government has announced parliamentary elections. During his campaign, Abe promised a revival of the economy through monetary quantitative easing and a tightening of positions in the discussion of disputed territories. He used the rather nationalist slogan "Bring Japan Back".
Abe's economic reforms have brought some positive results. His financial policies were even called abenomics. New jobs appeared in the country and there was an increase in industrial production. In addition to quantitative easing, Abe's economic program provides for a flexible taxation system and development strategy based on private investment. However, the artificial devaluation of the national currency turned out to be a double-edged sword. The weakening of the yen led to an outflow of capital from the country, which largely spoiled the impression of the economic strategy of the current prime minister.
Relations with far-right nationalists
The scandals with senior government officials that caused the Japanese government to resign during Abe's first term began to occur with surprising regularity. The prime minister was suspected of being patronized and financially supported by far-right nationalists, to whom he always felt sincere sympathy. The general public became aware that with the assistance of Abe, land for the construction of a kindergarten was sold at a ridiculously low price, the education in which corresponds to the spirit of militaristic imperial Japan. In this preschool institution, an oath of absolute obedience to the sovereign's will and readiness to die for him was daily pronounced without fail, which contradicts the modern constitution of the Land of the Rising Sun. Abe said that he had nothing to do with a corrupt land purchase deal. However, further scandals erupted, which led to the fact that the Japanese government resigned.
Defense concept
Abe's nationalist beliefs are expressed in the desire to revise the pacifist constitution adopted in the post-war period. The basic law aimed at demilitarizing the country includes provisions prohibiting Japan from participating in armed conflicts and having a standing army. Revisionists dreaming of rebuilding an empire and reviewing the outcome of the war demand the return of a clause on the right to conduct military operations abroad to the constitution.
Mission in africa
At the center of the next scandal was Tomomi Inada, a well-known nationalist who received an appointment from Abe to the post of Minister of Defense. The parliamentary opposition accused her of deliberately hiding from the public documents related to the activities of peacekeepers in Africa. These reports showed a high level of danger to members of the Japanese mission in the region torn by civil war. Officials in the armed forces initially tried to convince the opposition that the records had been destroyed. After the forced publication of documents, the Department of Defense announced the recall of peacekeepers from South Sudan. However, this was not enough to end the scandal. The head of the defense department resigned. Abe temporarily transferred her duties to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
