Meiji Reforms 1869, change of whole structure of the country

governorship, opening of the society, modernization, legalization of

governing rationale, piecemeal approach to western constitutions
Constitution 1881 research delegations to other countries, 1888
final draft, 1889 adoption by the emperor, 1890 comes into power,
76 articles, not liberal and very conservative, limited voting rights,
(male) emperor sacred position supported, sanctions laws from the
Diet (has pretty much undisputed power), governs the army,
Japanese citizens are subjects, some liberties established, two
houses of Peers (Imp. Family and nobility) + of Representatives
(through limited election)
Emperor Taisho 1912-1926 kind of democracy
Reforms, expansion of suffrage, freedoms, political arena, civil
society
Economic slowdown of 1920s and raise of power of zaibatsu
(economic giants, conglomerates) and come closer to military
Slogan Enrich the state, strengthen military (certain start of
militarism)
Post 1945, political reform, democratic institutions, military reform,
government should be civilian, Diet is the sole law-making organ,
decentralized economy, broadened political participation (universal
suffrage 11 October), political prisoners released, legalized
Communist Party, direct local elections, parliamentary authority
over emperor
Military reforms, Article 9, military disbanded, Tokyo War Crimes
Tribunal, emperor not pursued, purge of conservatives/military of
the leadership, by 1946 210k removed from the offices,
disseverment of zaibatsu and expansion of domestic market, land
reform, no more land owners (appeasement of leftist), economic
independence political independence
Constitution had to reflect SCAPs goals, 1946 first general election,
constitution comes into power since May 3, 1947, position of
emperor
Role of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
ElectionsParliamentPMCabinet
Initially the role of SCAP was to diffuse political power, Right to be
strengthened, Left weakened, ideology based on economic policy,
but since 1950s and Cold War some of the policies are reversed,
former politicians are returned (mostly from the Right), more
restrictions are established, CIA supports a creation of conservative
LDP
Minimum winning coalition (the least represented ally), minimum
connected (ideologically) coalition, core centrist party

Formation of LDP in 55, domestic pressure, international pressure,

competition with JSP right and left wings + liberals consolidation
of conservative forces with business and with the US support, this
ensured gradual growth.
Liberals and democrats had some internal fights after merger (on US
alliance, rearmament, constitution matters). Gradual consolidation;
five factions by 1970; size from 14 to 135. Foreign policy becomes
less ideological and economic ideas overtake it.
Main people:
President of the party PM
Secretary-General, appointed by pres. Manages day-to-day
operations, party and elections
Executive Council, vote on bills before submission, head Chairman,
made up by the members of Diet and appointed by pres.
Presidents pros: prestige, control over bureaucracy through the
Cabinet
Cons: can be replaced at any time (because of the fall in support or
by ignoring factional views)
Seniority-based promotion, high competition and pressure
Turnover rate of the PM is rather high, 1955-72: 22 cabinets, 5 PMs;
1972-93: 25 cabinets, 10 PMs; 1994-2013: 24 cabinets, 12 PMs
Informal rules: 6 terms Minister, faction power amount of cabinet
positions, inner balancing;
Big 3 positions: PARC, Executive Council, Secretary General
Career opportunities help to sustain order
Policymaking: initiation party consensus assigned to Diet
committee Floor Vote
Pork based choices by voters, what will it bring to this area,
personality-driven choice, party-switching has almost no effect on
the popularity, clientelistic exchange, hereditary transfer of power,
support for the candidates comes from factions within the party
(endorsements, donations etc.)
LDP dominates in rural areas, supports them with construction and
agriculture policies (two strongest), opposition is stronger in
urbanized areas, overall gerrymandering and not so many changes
in electoral law regarding constituencies, re-draw is avoided by the
LDP, length of campaign 30 days (1950) 12 days (1994),
restrictions on commercials and campaigning, money limitations