Sunday, December 14, 2014

General election 2014 in Japan

Today, the election of the lower house was conducted in Japan. As expected, ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is winning the majority, according the media report.


It is no doubt that Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, was confident to win the vote, because he had determined to resolve the lower house last month. It is promised that LDP will continue to govern Japan for some years.

As I wrote in the past, this election has almost no meaning. No parties could oppose to raising consumption tax. Opposite parties could not suggest issues to debate against LDP. Thus, voters had no choice but LDP in this situation.

My past entry: Consumption tax election by Abe is absurd

The voting rate will be lower than that in the previous one. Citizens seem not so much concerned about the result, not surprising.

My past entry: Why do we vote?

Not living in Japan, I could not vote. If I had been able to, I would have voted to Japan Restoration Party. Yet, its policy did not attract me so much. It is merely a process of elimination.

By the way, some politicians visited Japan to study about general election in Japan. According to the media, some lawmakers from Cambodia, Nepal, and Pakistan were invited to Japan for some days by the government. They looked surprised to the calm atmosphere on the voting day.

Yomiuri Online: Foreign lawmakers investigate Japanese election (in Japan)

The system of election in Japan has several challenges. Electric voting has not been equipped. Advertisement is strictly regulated, and many politicians are arrested for minimal violation of the procedure. Nonetheless, it is pleased that there have been almost no chaotic phases such as terror or coup by force in the general election.

On the other hand, many countries are struggling for a fair election as a symbol of democracy. We should be aware to this fact.


*Sequel

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