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Japan
At stake: House of Representatives
Background
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - After World War II ended, Japan's foremost body of law was re-written during the American occupation. Article 9 of the Constitution literally states, "The Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes."
In 1955, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was established. Aside from a brief period in the 1990s, the LDP has administered Japan's government for almost five decades.
During the second half of the 20th Century, Japan's automobile and electronics industries were the key factors in turning the country into the second most powerful economy in the world. In 1997, a financial crisis affected much of Asia, hampering Japan's success.
Junichiro Koizumi has served as Japan's prime minister since Apr. 26, 2001. Koizumi earned a new mandate in the November 2003 general election. Japanese voters renewed the House of Councillors in July 2004.
Click here for Japan Diet 2003-2004 Election Tracker
Katsuya Okada took over as leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in May 2004, after allegations over unpaid dues to the national pension program led to the resignation of Naoto Kan.
In December 2003, Koizumi committed the Self-Defence Forces to non-combat duties in support of the United States-led coalition effort in Iraq. A year later, the government extended the deployment of the 550 soldiers—stationed in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa—for 12 more months. Aside from small detachments to East Timor and Cambodia, Japanese soldiers had not been placed in a conflict zone since 1945.
Koizumi has also actively pursued Japan's presence in the most powerful internal organ of the United Nations (UN). In September 2004, Japan—along with Brazil, Germany and India—signalled its intention to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The four nations agreed to support each other, and invite an African country as a fifth permanent member.
Another topic that has divided public opinion over the past few months is the controversial Yasukuni Shrine. The site commemorates Japan's 2.4 million war veterans—including 14 war criminals convicted by a 1948 Allied tribunal—and has been visited by three sitting prime ministers since the 1980s. China and South Korea usually condemn these appearances, saying they amount to an official endorsement of Japan's aggression during World War II.
In April 2005, Koizumi defended his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, saying, "Each country has its own history, tradition and different views. I go there to pledge not to fight a war again and offer my condolences to the war dead."
2005 House of Representatives Election
In September 2004, prime minister Junichiro Koizumi formalized a policy to divide the country's state-operated Japan Post into four companies—postal savings, postal life insurance, mail delivery and post office management—in April 2007.
The privatization process was expected to take 10 years. Japan Post is the Asian country's largest employer—with 400,000 workers—and also the world's biggest savings bank, worth an estimated $3.1 trillion U.S. in funds and insurance policies.
On Jul. 5, 2005, the House of Representatives narrowly endorsed the postal privatization bill, after 37 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members voted against the government.
On Aug. 8, the House of Councillors rejected the postal privatization bill after a 125-108 vote. Koizumi dissolved the lower house and called for a general election on Sept. 11, declaring, "I'd like to ask the Japanese people whether there really is no need for (postal privatization). In other words, this dissolution is a postal dissolution."
In a July Kyodo news poll, the LDP was first in voting intention with 37.7 per cent, with the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) in second place with 19.9 per cent, and the remaining political organizations—the Communist Party of Japan (CPJ), the New Komeito Clean Government Party (Kt) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—in single digits.
On Aug. 9, DPJ leader Katsuya Okada said he would resign if his party does not form the government after the election, declaring, "We have to take the reins at any cost and change the country. If the DPJ fails to take over power, I have absolutely no intention to remain as party leader."
The LDP has introduced "Don't stop reform" as its campaign slogan. The DPJ has countered with "There are more important things."
On Aug. 11, Okada expressed confidence in a good result for his party, saying, "Japanese voters are wise and I think they will be cool when deciding on the government for the next three or four years." DPJ lawmakers have suggested slimming down Japan Post before moving along with privatization.
Also on Aug. 11, Koizumi refused to endorse the 37 LDP lower house members who voted against the postal bill on Jul. 5. The prime minister explained his rationale, saying, "There are many candidates who want to push through reform. This is an election about whether the public supports or opposes postal privatization. If there are only candidates who are against privatization in a constituency, it would mean voters cannot make a choice."
On Aug. 15, Koizumi formally apologized for Japan's wartime activities, saying, "Our country has caused great damages and pain to people in many countries, especially our Asian neighbours, through colonization and invasion. We humbly accept these historic facts, and would like to express once again our deep reflections and heartfelt apology, and also express our condolences to all victims of the war, both at home and abroad. We will not forget the terrible lessons of the war, and will contribute to world peace and prosperity."
Also on Aug. 15, the LDP announced that its election manifesto would include a pledge to resubmit the postal privatization bill once the new lawmakers have been elected. Chief cabinet secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda confirmed that the LDP would seek to debate the postal bill immediately after the parliamentary ballot, saying, "It all depends on the outcome of the election. But I think it's a logical move." Usually, the two houses of the Diet convene in a special session after a House of Representatives election only to name the prime minister and the speaker.
On Aug. 16, the DPJ released its election manifesto. In the document, the opposition party vowed to end Japan's participation in the coalition effort by December. The current LDP government committed the Self-Defence Forces to non-combat duties in Iraq.
The 550-soldier group is stationed in the southern Iraqi city of Samawa. The DPJ manifesto cites that Samawa cannot be deemed a "non-combat zone" under the definition outlined by Koizumi in the special measures legislation.
Mid-August polls by Asahi and Mainichi placed the LDP in first place with 34 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, followed by the DPJ with 14 per cent and 19 per cent.
On Aug. 17, some LDP members who opposed the postal privatization bill in the lower house assembled the People's New Party (PNP). The group includes Tamisuke Watanuki and Shizuka Kamei. While most of the LDP members who are against their prime minister's proposal will run as independents, established parties are entitled to airtime on television.
On Aug. 20, Koizumi elaborated on his decision to call an early ballot, saying, "The focal point of the election is whether you favour postal privatization or are against it. I dissolved parliament thinking that many among the public will decide that privatization is necessary."
In an interview with Mainichi published on Aug. 22, Okada disagreed with the prime minister's rationale, saying, "The lower house election is an important election to decide the future of Japan. Not many people would decide just on the postal issue. Mr. Koizumi may want to create a small arena, but the people will make a judgement in a large arena."
On Aug. 22, Koizumi set a date for his political retirement, declaring, "If our coalition takes a majority, I will work as hard as I can until September next year. I am not thinking of continuing after that." LDP secretary-general Tsutomu Takebe justified the ruling party's decision to shun candidates who oppose Koizumi's plans, saying, "This election is about asking the people whether they are for or against postal privatization, so we need a candidate in every district who is for postal privatization and is pro-reform."
Also on Aug. 22, Komeito leader Takenori Kanzaki vowed to support Koizumi's party regardless of the election's outcome, declaring, "If the LDP goes into opposition, then we will go with them."
In Ibaraki, DPJ leader Okada urged voters to oppose the LDP, saying, "For those who think the current pension system isn't working, we want you to vote for the Democratic Party and let us carry through pension reforms under a Democratic administration."
On Aug. 25, former prime minister Yoshiro Mori suggested a one-year extension for Koizumi's tenure as LDP president, saying, "The party's reform has to continue. We will run out of time if his term ends in September next year."
On Aug. 26, Kanzaki said he expected a good result, declaring, "I think turnout will be high and the battle will be tough. We are determined to retain our 34 seats, and secure a majority for the ruling coalition."
In late August, a government report showed that for the first semester since the end of World War II, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births in Japan. DPJ leader Okada has proposed a $1,800 U.S. bonus for every birth, saying, "This is a problem for the entire country but more importantly for many people who want children but cannot, because they can't afford it. They feel they can't raise them properly and they also feel they cannot balance work and family. This situation is intolerable."
On Aug. 29, the five main party leaders participated in a televised debate. Koizumi reiterated his views on Japan Post, saying, "Many people say they support efforts to cut wasteful spending and promote administrative reforms. Then how come only the postal sector cannot be privatized?"
Okada said Koizumi's style has affected the country's political scene, declaring, "The prime minister doesn't understand how the public feels at all. He's too aloof from the population. I feel great embarrassment that he's the prime minister of Japan." The DPJ leader said his political organization would cut government spending by $91.5 billion U.S. over the next three years.
A September poll by Asahi gave the Liberal Democrats an 18-point edge over the DPJ in single-seat constituencies, and a nine-point advantage in proportional representation.
Voting took place on Sept. 11. Okada cast his ballot in the morning, declaring, "I did all I could and must now wait for the voters' judgment. The voters' reaction has been very good. It has never been this good before. It is a historic day for the people of Japan."
Early figures suggested a high turnout, with more than 35 per cent of all voters casting their ballots by early afternoon. The number of absentee ballots is expected to surpass 8.3 million—a record high.
An exit poll by NHK suggested a victory for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) with between 285 and 325 members in the 480-seat House of Representatives. Another survey by NTV suggested the governing party would elect more than 300 legislators.
Official results were released on Sept. 13. Koizumi's LDP secured 296 seats—55 more than the minimum required to assemble an administration and 47 more than the total of the 2003 ballot. Komeito will add the support of 31 lawmakers to the governing coalition.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the outcome, declaring, "We received greater-than-expected support. It means the public believes the decision of the Diet (to scrap postal privatization) was wrong." Koizumi reiterated his wish to step down as LDP president in 2006, saying, "People made their judgment on the premise that my term as LDP president ends next September. There are many aspirants (and) I want to give those people the opportunity to play as active a role as possible."
Conversely, the DPJ's total in the House of Representatives dwindled from 175 seats before the dissolution, to 113 after the election. As expected, leader Katsuya Okada tendered his resignation.
In single-seat constituencies, the LDP elected 219 candidates, with the DPJ a distant second with 52. Turnout was tabled at 67.51 per cent, up 7.65 points from the 2003 ballot.
Political Players
Emperor: Akihito
Prime minister: Junichiro Koizumi - LDP
Legislative Branch: The Kokkai (Diet) has two chambers. The Shugi-in (House of Representatives) has 480 members, elected to four-year terms; 300 members in single-seat constituencies and 180 members by proportional representation in 11 regions. The Sangi-in (House of Councillors) has 247 members, elected to six-year terms; 149 members in multi-seat constituencies and 98 by proportional representation.
Results of Last Election:
House of Representatives - Sept. 11, 2005
Vote% | Single | Prop. | Total | |
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) | 38.2% | 219 | 77 | 296 |
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) | 31.0% | 52 | 61 | 113 |
New Komeito Clean Government Party (Kt) | 13.3% | 8 | 23 | 31 |
Communist Party of Japan (CPJ) | 7.3% | -- | 9 | 9 |
Social Democratic Party (SDP) | 5.5% | 1 | 6 | 7 |
New Party Nippon (NPN) | 2.4% | -- | 1 | 1 |
People's New Party (PNP) | 1.7% | 2 | 2 | 4 |
New Party Daichi (NPD) | 0.6% | -- | 1 | 1 |
Independents | -- | 18 | -- | 18 |
House of Councillors - Jul. 11, 2004
(121 of 247 seats at stake)
Seats won in this | House strength | |
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) | 49 | 115 |
Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) | 50 | 82 |
Komeito Clean Government Party (Kt) | 11 | 24 |
Communist Party of Japan (CPJ) | 4 | 9 |
Social Democratic Party (SDP) | 2 | 5 |
Independents | 5 | 7 |
==Vacancies== | == | 2 |