This Open Access book provides a comprehensive analysis of political reforms in Japan since the 1990s, emphasizing the role of ideas in shaping their goals and outcomes.
For more than fifteen years following the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble, politicians, business people and academics tackled a range of institutional reforms. The sweeping changes they enacted―covering almost all facets of the public sphere, including elections, public administration, courts and the central bank―fundamentally altered Japanese political processes and policies. Taken together, they arguably represent the final touches of Japan’s political modernization, which had been unfolding since the mid-19th century.
Throughout the reform process, advocates were inspired by a combination of liberal and modernist ideas. This book examines those guiding concepts and illustrates the often messy process of applying them to real-world institutions. While most reforms began from common goals, they ultimately produced different―and frequently unexpected―institutional outcomes, which continue to shape Japanese politics. By focusing on the relationship between the ideas and processes that shaped Japan’s reforms, this book presents a broad vision of institutional change in comparative politics.
Author(s): Satoshi Machidori
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 224
City: Singapore
Preface to the English Edition
Preface to the Original Japanese Edition
Acknowledgments
Contents
Author and Translator
Chapter 1: Perspectives on Political Reform
1 The Path to Political Reform
The Bubble as Precursor
Strengthening Satisfaction with the Status Quo
1989 as a Turning Point
2 How Has Political Reform Been Represented?
Growing Momentum for Reform
Unsettled Evaluation
Previous Explanations
Remaining Questions
3 This Book´s Approach
``Ideas´´ and Their ``Localization´´
What We Think Was Happening
Why Did Reform Happen This Way?
Notable Points and the Structure of the Book
Chapter 2: An Overview of Political Reform
1 What Is Political Reform?
De Facto Constitutional Revision
Classification of Domains
2 Central Government Reform
Electoral Reform
Strengthening the Cabinet
The Reorganization of Ministries and Agencies
3 Reforms Outside of the Central Government
Central Bank and Judiciary Reform
Decentralization Reform
4 The Project of the Liberal Modernist
From ``Object´´ to ``Subject´´ of Politics
Modernism in Postwar Japan
Liberalism, Communism, Conservatism
The Relationship with Party Politics
Who Is the Liberal Modernist?
The Localization of Reforms and the Rise of Domain Autonomy
Chapter 3: Electoral Reform
1 Background of Reform
Why Is the Electoral System Important?
The Electoral System and Policy
The Problem of the Medium-Sized Electoral District System
Issues That Should Be Addressed
2 Toward the Modernization of Politics
Multiple Directions
Choice of Philosophy Based on the ``Outline for Political Reform´´
Complementary Logic
3 The Localization of the Parallel Single-Member District-Proportional Representation Electoral System
Concrete Choices
Forming a Majority
Kanemaru´s Arrest as the Decisive Step
Did Voters Agree?
4 What Happened?
Expected Consequences
Development as Expected
Some Important Unanticipated Consequences
Lack of Interest in Linkages
Chapter 4: Administrative Reform
1 The Background of Reform
The Emergence of the Administrative State
Administrative Reform as an Issue
2 What Was the True Aim?
The Emergence of a New Direction
Administrative Reform as Part of Political Reform
Between ``Small Government´´ and ``Strong Government´´
3 Reorganizing Ministries as a Means of Localization
In the Vortex of Inter-party Competition
The Effective ``Preservation´´ of the Strengthening of Cabinet Functions
4 What Happened?
The Decisive Effects of Strengthening Cabinet Functions
The Apparent Arrival of ``Small Government´´
Chapter 5: Reform of the Bank of Japan and Ministry of Finance
1 The Background of Reform
The Role of the Central Bank
The Bank of Japan Act as Wartime Legislation
Scandals in the Ministry of Finance and the Financial Sector
2 Two Directions
Global Trends
The Central Bank Study Group
Putting Ministry of Finance Reform on the Agenda
Formation of a Reform Proposal
3 Which Was the ``Core´´?
Localization as Administrative Reform
The Idea of ``Open Independence´´ Survives
4 What Happened?
The Bank of Japan Strengthens Its Independence
The Declining Influence of the Ministry of Finance
A New Coordination System?
Chapter 6: Reform of the Judicial System
1 The Background for Reform
What Is Judicial Independence?
Insulation from Society
2 Clear Directionality
Expanding Points of Contact with Society
Greater Autonomy from the Executive and Legislative Branches
Research and the Exploration of Options by the Supreme Court
3 Reform by Consensus
The Road to the Establishment of the Advisory Council
Judicial System Reform Council
The Reality of Institutional Reform
4 Localization After Institutional Change
Difficulties in the Implementation Stage
A Return to Expertise
Chapter 7: Decentralization Reforms
1 Background of Reform
What Is Decentralization?
What Was Being Sought?
Recognized Challenges
2 A New Rationale
Increased Attention on Responsiveness
Different Ways of Thinking
3 Beyond Approving General Arguments and Opposing Specific Arguments
Penetrating the Heart of Government
Three Directions
Characteristics of Majority Formation
4 What Happened?
Anticipated Consequences
Capacity Issues for Local Governments
Coordination Problems Between Central and Local Governments
Chapter 8: Is Reform Finished?
1 Far-Reaching and Large-Scale Reforms
Consistency in Ideas
What Underpinned Heisei Democracy
2 The Problem of Inconsistency and Noncommitment
The Various Consequences of Localization
Inconsistencies in the Multilevel Mixture
The Impact of Areas Not Addressed
3 Is Reform No Longer Necessary?
Reform Fatigue and Excessive Criticism
Towards a New Era
Translator´s Afterword
Appendix: Chronology of Relevant Political History (1985-2014)
Publisher´s Notes
References
Index
