'Kawaii' is one of the factors that makes J-popular culture hit foreign markets like virus. From cute stuffed animals, small cars, portable music players and virtual pets, Japan became the melting pot of popular culture and innovations. On the other hand, it is interesting to see how something unpopular is still bathing one’s self in the spotlight.
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or Jimintoushuu was born in 1955, a decade after Japan's surrender. Post-war not only devastated the country itself (after 2 bombings), it also burst the bubble of the militaristic Japanese ego. For a country starting from scratch bureaucrats indeed assisted to form and develop what is Japan at the present. A brilliant piece of the puzzle is the Yoshida Doctrine, by PM Yoshida. This policy took advantage of the "punishment"- Article 9 and concentrated on making Japan an economic super power. However, as decades passed, the LDP touch and magic seems declining.
Opposition in all aspects of society, ideology and philosophy is normal. This makes diversity possible. It is also a cycle that a popular ideology becomes unpopular and the latter becomes the former. Circle of life as they call it. But, keep in mind that this is Japan --absurdity of all sorts is very much possible and visible. And, the Liberal Democratic Party is one actor who glued one’s self for half a century in the same postion.
In the research made by the Department of Political Science in UCLA, I would agree that 3 factors is gluing LDP in their seats in the Diet and sub-government and kicking the opposing parties out of the scène. As mentioned in the video presentation, DPJ lacked quality candidates to go against LDP's long-standing bureaucrats and their successors. In this upcoming election, the supposed to be "hope" of DPJ Ichiro Ozawa tangled himself to a fund-raising scandal and resign his post. In replacement, another uncharismatic , "compassionate-love" raconteur Yukio Hatoyama. It seems that DPJ and LDP share the elite factions when it comes to their candidates. The only difference is DPJ candidates are visually newbies compared to LDP's poster boys of many generation.
Keep in mind that a half-century influence of LDP cannot be ignored easily. These bureaucrats, may be corrupt, are still considered as influential and mostly are incumbents. Connections or "Kone" is really a big factor in Japanese society (and politics). Although there were a good number of LDP politicians caught in web of scandals and corruption, "some" members still manage to save the face of the party.
Second factor of LDP's power is the "Kone" equals to Pipeline system. Although DPJ receives popularity and votes at national level, they are assassinated by LDP members at the sub national level. There are several prefectures in Japan that are stand-alone from the central government and a high number of Urban and rural prefectures that are still dependent on the central government. Pipeline system definitely works perfectly in latter scenario of the prefectures.
How is this connected to the Diet? Local voters most of the time prefer incumbents ,specially if they have improved their prefectures. Most of these incumbents are LDP members. In the video, LDP and DPJ seem to have a fair share when it comes to local politics. This is where the pipeline system works: a sub national politician will chose attach the local pipe he holds to the central pipe, to get the flow of resources easier and faster. A lower house LDP for a fellow upper house LDP. And, this affects the chances of DPJ to gain power and position in the Parliament.
The Pipeline system sort of reminded me by Philippine Politics. Pork barrels and project budgets are easily approved when you have connections and the sneaky corruptions will ( most of the time take place). Unless you have a hand in Malacanang, you receive the budget and the power to alter the finance documents. It's funny how the face of corruption remains the same for both 1st and 3rd world countries.
For the 3rd reason, I believe this is where absolute absurdity takes place. Both parties have vague platforms. In the experience of Professor Ethan Scheiner , that during his research, he was able to taste of what campaign in Japan is. Vague platforms are defined as safe issues like "good education", "environment" etc. Candidates do no specify their opinions and views on topics that needs to be tackled. Like the present DPJ leader Hatoyama, his "compassionate love" policy is definitely formless. Does he mean compassionate love for his people and act on economic policies to save them from a decade of frozen recession? or, compassion love for his country and revolutionize Japan's government. On the other hand, Japan is in a position where stating opinions of controversial issues is a big risk ( Article 9 ,the threat of North Korea , US bilateral relations and economic ties with other countries etc.)
Although the 3 reasons stated above defines how LDP still grasp in power, I would like to add a 4th reason: the Japanese voters. These voters needs to be more aggressive in wanting for change. With Politicians reciting vague platforms during campaign, I think that is enough reason to question their goals and purposes in the Diet and sub-national seats. I think that's one major reason why it's difficult to break the LDP RULE. Comparing the voter participation in politics, I believe Filipinos (especially the youth) is showing a lot of interest and sharing their opinions about the politicians and their platforms. This kind of active participation, I believe, warns the politicians in seat and running for position to be clear on their views and opinions.Is it because they don't know where and how to participate, or they just don't care?
It seems to me that Japan’s love for homogeneity doesn’t seem to apply in the ruling party anymore. LDP’s stagnant position in the Parliament for half-century may have saved them from the WWII. Now, it seems there’s a call for CHANGE in politics. CHANGE that is both needed, yet difficult to realize. Recently it seems that as DPJ promotes their realistic voices on foreign policy issues and gaining more supporters(solid support from Hokkaido) , LDP opts for fear to stay in power. In a recent interview, PM Aso mentioned that if DPJ, is not careful with their statements ( nuclear weapons, US FTA etc) it might affect the people. If DPJ wants to be the door for the NEW Japan, it would take tons of risk and active actions on local and global politics to destroy the line of hereditary politicians in LDP and return the power back to the voters’ hands. As Tobias Harris (Observing Japan) mentioned in his blog , along with Obama’s hands-off policy with Japan and DPJ’s views on recent issues, this might be a gaiatsu in a new perspective.
Maybe, there’s a light on DPJ to try and smash the shell and revolutionize Japan again.
Sources (besides the videos):
Students strive to lift turnout of young voters ahead of election ;
http://www.japantoday.com/category/lifestyle/view/students-strive-to-lift-turnout-of-young-voters-ahead-of-election
