Similarity of Japanese Democracy to U.K.

A century ago, the biggest ally of Japan was United Kingdom. Although the friendship of both nations were torn apart in the Great War, moderate relationship has been maintained after the war. One typical similarity of them is political system. Japan adopted parliamentary cabinet system, which had been laid in U.K., after the collapse of imperial governance in pre-war era. Now, the system is in jeopardy, as U.K. regrets its version of democracy shown in the national referendum for leaving European Union.

Asahi Shimbun ran a featured article on Tuesday, which warned the readers that Brexit would not be something happened in a country far away from us. One common element between the choice of U.K. citizens and current Japanese politics is anger of voters against politicians who do not implement their campaign promise. Some political leaders upheld leaving E.U. and promised to improve fiscal support on National Health Service, compensated by unnecessary payment to E.U. But, they started saying that they had not referred to how to use the saved money.

The same thing happened in Japan. Liberal Democratic Party promised that the party would oppose Trans-Pacific Partnership in the general election in late 2012. But, after taking leadership, LDP President Shinzo Abe began to promote the negotiation with other Pacific countries. In the campaign of the election of House of Councillors, there are some agricultural organizations, which have traditionally been supporting LDP, that defy LDP candidates.

Another point is contradiction of majority between parliament and public. According to the report of Asahi, lawmakers for leaving E.U. only amounted 147 out of all 650, while 454 upheld staying. Nevertheless, “leave” occupied majority in the referendum. In bipartisan system in U.K., Conservative Party kept support from certain well-to-do class, while Labor Party rooted on workers. However, those parties could not properly deal with current problem stemming from globalization.

In the Diet of Japan, lawmakers who uphold constitutional amendment occupy two-third majority in the House of Representatives. The result of the election next week may create that power also in the House of Councillors. It is not impossible that the Constitution will be amended with minority leadership in the public.

As shown in U.K., enthusiasm based on unidentified frustration covering Japanese society can lead the nation to an inexperienced direction. Facing a reality that China unilaterally claims its right on the islands in East or South China Sea, political leaders in Japan could not draw viable and persuasive answer. “We need at least to prepare possible invasion,” or “We need at least make proactive attack to the potential enemy,” is the way the Japanese thought at the beginning of World War II.