Hard to Understand American Politics

It was hard to understand for most Japanese that even the oldest congressional democracy would be precipitated into such a big mess. Experienced “twisted parliament,” difference of majority between the two Houses, they could realize that bicameral system sometimes reaches an unreasonable deadlock. However, the process U.S. Congress had fallen into the trouble over Obamacare, and found the way to get rid of it, was too unclear to retain credibility on the country. Even though Japan and U.S. have similar congressional system, there is a difference of political culture.

It is well known in Japan that the biggest factor of the trouble was Tea Party movement. In Japan, conservative movement raised by Japan Restoration Party swept the Lower House election last December. People realized that an emerging conservative power could bring a great damage on liberal administration. They watched Tea Party as unleashed power among other groups on the Capitol Hill.

What they could not understand was why those conservatives in U.S. were so persistent on breaking Obamacare down, which might be paralyzing world economy. One possible reason is the difference over the concept of conservatism. In Japan, conservatism is always something related to militarism. Argument between the right and the left has been over how much Japan can take advantage of military force for its security. In U.S., conservatism has not necessarily been about military, but often about concept of fiscal spending. There is no such thing in Japan as fiscal conservatives.

Ordinary Japanese think that taxation in U.S. would be lighter than in their country. The fact is three-layered system -- federal, state and county – poses heavier tax on citizens in middle class with average income or higher. So, they cannot realize the frustration of businessmen with higher education, entrepreneur of small business or others in the well-to-do.

Additionally, they were amazed by the result of votes in both Houses, in which overwhelming majority voted yea. In Japan, votes of legislators so strictly follow party line that it is unusual to vote against party policy to attract public opinion. This time, a number of U.S. Congressmen voted in a way not to be seen as guilty for the government shutdown, even against party requirement.

It is too early to regard the Japanese as happier than U.S. citizens. Although they now have stable parliament with a great majority of Liberal Democratic Party, the people have less power to rein in the excessive decision of the government. To maintain workable democracy always requires effort of overseeing what is going on in politics.