Government of Japan

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Questions and Answers

What was the initial plan for Japan's wartime bureaucracy?

To dismantle it completely

To keep it intact with some reforms

To demilitarize and exorcise Japan's militant feudal system (correct)

To replace it with an American-style bureaucracy

What is the term used to describe Japan's postwar state featuring a core elite of bureaucrats, politicians, and business leaders?

Tripartite Regime

Corporatist State

Elite Triad

Iron Triangle (correct)

What is the main criticism of Japan's political structure?

It is too democratic

It limits the political influence of Japanese citizens and other pluralist interests (correct)

It is too decentralized

It is too socialist

What is the outcome of Japan's remarkable postwar development credited to?

The iron triangle Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe Japan's type of government?

Corporatist State Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the persistence of Japan's ruling triad?

Limited political influence of Japanese citizens Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of Japan's political regime?

A close alliance between bureaucrats, politicians, and business leaders Signup and view all the answers

What is the controversy surrounding Japan's democracy?

Whether it is a true democracy or an elitist state Signup and view all the answers

What type of government does Japan have?

Parliamentary Democracy Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Prime Minister play in Japan's government?

Head of Government Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of Japan's political structure, as described in the passage?

A significant influence of factions within the ruling party Signup and view all the answers

What does the passage suggest about the relationship between recent generations of Japanese citizens and the monarchy?

A decline in interest and connection to the monarchy Signup and view all the answers

How does the passage describe the selection of the Prime Minister in Japan?

Selected by the ruling party, often through factional bargaining Signup and view all the answers

What is a key aspect of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) as described in the passage?

A reliance on factional ties and backroom deals in selecting leaders Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Diet in Japan?

To make laws and approve the budget Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of events like Akihito's abdication and Naruhito's coronation in Japan, according to the passage?

They demonstrate the enduring importance of the monarchy in Japanese society. Signup and view all the answers

What type of electoral system is used for the House of Representatives in Japan?

Mixed single-member districts and proportional representation Signup and view all the answers

Which body serves as the chief judicial authority in Japan?

Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the Japanese government structure?

Unitary division of power Signup and view all the answers

What was one key reform aimed at changing electoral competition in Japan?

Shifting away from personalized factional politics Signup and view all the answers

In Japan's political structure, the cabinet is primarily responsible to which body?

The Diet Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic change prompted a reapportioning of electoral districts in Japan?

Urban voter demographics becoming more numerous Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the American framers in the establishment of the Japanese constitution?

Establishment of universal suffrage Signup and view all the answers

What significant change regarding voting age occurred in Japan in 2015?

The voting age was lowered from 20 to 18 Signup and view all the answers

What major cultural aspect has influenced Japan's political practices over time?

Pacifism Signup and view all the answers

What is characterized as arguably the most influential institution in Japan's policy-making?

The bureaucracy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Japan's legislative structure?

Direct election of all officials Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary goals of the 1994 electoral reforms in Japan?

To provide genuine policy alternatives between two dominant parties Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Japan's government highlights its historical continuity?

Oldest unbroken line of monarchs Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the political structure did the reforms in Japan particularly target?

Electoral rule changes Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does the Japanese government use to ensure voter registration?

Automatic registration of eligible voters Signup and view all the answers

What type of political competition was diminished by the electoral reforms in Japan?

Competition based on factionalism Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the central government and local prefectural governments in Japan?

Prefectural governments can only operate under the directives of the central government. Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the collaboration between senior bureaucrats, conservative politicians, and corporate executives in Japan?

Iron Triangle Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the funding situation of prefectural governments in Japan?

They cover about one-third of their expenses through taxes and rely on the central government for the rest. Signup and view all the answers

What method is commonly used in Japan to communicate policy directives to the private sector?

Administrative guidance communicated informally Signup and view all the answers

How does the Japanese national government exert control over local governors?

By having the power to override local decisions if necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What form of government is Japan classified as?

Unitary system Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of autonomy do local governments in Japan have in regards to their decision-making?

30 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups has historically been well taken care of by the ruling party in Japan?

Rice farmers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Regime

Japan has a legislative-executive system with a parliamentary legislature called the Diet.
The Diet consists of a lower house (House of Representatives) and an upper house (House of Councillors).
Japan is a unitary state with 47 administrative divisions called prefectures.
The electoral system for the lower house is a mixed system with single-member districts and proportional representation.
The chief judicial body is the Supreme Court.

Branches of Government

The head of state is the Emperor of Japan, who has the oldest unbroken line of monarchs in the world.
The Prime Minister serves as the head of government and is responsible to the Diet.
The cabinet is made up of ministers who serve as heads of Japan's 19 bureaucratic ministries and other key agencies.

The Prime Minister and the Cabinet

The Prime Minister is the head of government and draws from the Diet at least the majority of cabinet members.
Faction leaders in the ruling party typically broker the selection process and rotate the office of the Prime Minister among various factions.

Other Institutions

The bureaucracy is an influential institution in Japan's policy-making process.
The Japanese civil service is smaller in size but greater in influence than its Western counterparts.
The iron triangle of bureaucrats, politicians, and business leaders has persisted throughout Japan's post-war history.

Local Government

Japan is divided into 47 administrative divisions called prefectures, each with its own elected governor and legislature.
Local governments decide many local issues and can raise sufficient taxes to cover about one-third of their expenditures.
The central government delegates local authority and can override the decisions of local governors.

Electoral System

The electoral system for the lower house was reformed in 1994 to introduce a mixed system with single-member districts and proportional representation.
The reform aimed to shift electoral competition away from personalized factional politics and local candidate-based campaign organizations.
The minimum age for voting was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2015.

Iron Triangle

The iron triangle refers to the close alliance between senior bureaucrats, conservative politicians, and big-business executives.
This triad has limited the political influence of Japanese citizens and other pluralist interests.
The iron triangle has been credited for Japan's post-war development and blamed for its recent economic troubles.

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Description

Learn about the political regime of Japan, including its legislative-executive system, parliamentary legislature, and branches of government.