Japan

Post-WWII Japan has been stable and dominated by one party, the conservative Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP). Political and electoral reforms in the 1990s, which included a new electoral system (a parallel system replaced a single non-transferable vote system) and a tightening of political funding rules improved the quality of democracy by increasing transparency, reducing corruption, and promoting programme-based electoral campaigns. However, reforms were also criticized for failing to address malapportionment between urban and rural voters and for facilitating factionalism. Japan has struggled with low electoral turnout (below 60 per cent during the last decade), due in part to one-party dominance and youth disengagement. Finally, some experts have questioned judicial and media independence in recent years. 

A major division comes from “the pacifist clause” (Article 9) of the Constitution – drafted by the US in post-WWII Japan – and the role of the Self Defense Force, which have frequently sparked public protests against the LDP’s pursuit of Constitutional revision. Yet the evolving geopolitics (threats from Russia and China) have shifted the discourse, with growing public concerns about the risks of conflict, and increased government prioritization of the need to review dependence on the US military and establish a more independent defense policy through revising the post-1945 security posture. Japanese politics have also been marked by historical disputes with neighboring countries, including over “comfort women” in South Korea.  

The demographic crisis of a rapidly aging population and declining birth rate has become a most pressing political concern. The significant possible economic consequences of a shrinking workforce are compounded by Japan’s strict immigration laws (foreign workers are only 2.5 per cent of the labor force).  

Japan ranks low on gender equality globally and regionally, as well as among OECD and G7 countries, with poor performance on women’s parliamentary representation and gaps in wage and employment. Recent women’s economic empowerment policies expanded childcare support, but there is progress to be made. Japan does not have laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, and foreigners are often subject to discrimination, including racial profiling by the police. As the only G7 country that denies same-sex marriage, pressure is building on Japan to recognize LGBTQIA+ rights .  

In the years to come, it is important to watch Social Rights and Equality, as the government attempts to implement measures to counter the falling birthrate, secure public welfare for an aging society, promote gender equality, and bridge the labour shortage through its plan to bring 345,000 foreign “Specific Skilled Workers” by 2025. Given widespread voter apathy, Electoral Participation should also be monitored. However, this requires long term measures to build diversity in government both through enhanced representation of women and youth as well as through building a viable and vibrant opposition. The latter can also potentially strengthen parliamentary oversight. Finally, the government’s new defense policy should be watched, particularly on how the required resources will be raised, and how potential gaps between intentions and perceptions on the policy will be managed, both domestically and regionally.