Japanese Government and Politics

Instructors

ONO Yoshikuni

Term / Language / Credits

S1S2 / English / 2

Objectives

This course is intended to provide an overview of politics in contemporary Japan. The class considers issues of Japanese democracy, and particularly focuses on political history, institutional structures, and political actors’ motivations and behavior in the arena of Japanese politics.

Keywords

Japanese politics

Schedule

1: Introduction
2: Japan’s War
3: Historical Background I (Meiji restoration and modernization)
4: Historical Background II (New Constitution and legacy of occupation)
5: Government Structure of Japan
6: Party System in Japan I
7: Party System in Japan II
8: Policymaking Process
9: Electoral Campaign
10: Bureaucracy
11: Bureaucratic Domination
12: Business-Bureaucracy Relations
13: The Economic Miracle and the Developmental State
14: Changes and Reforms after 1990s

Teaching Methods

This is a three-hour lecture class. The course is based on lectures, but students are expected to read all assigned readings before coming to each lecture and prepare to answer questions in class. Class attendance is required. Students are also expected to participate in discussions and group debates.

Grading

There will be two in-class quizzes, and a comprehensive final examination. Class participation includes attendance at classes and contributing to discussions. In order to receive an excused absence, such as health or family emergencies, religious observances, or official university activities, you need to show a doctor’s note or comparable documentation.

Quiz: 20 %
Final examination: 50 %
Class participation: 30 %

Required Textbook

This course uses many book chapters and journal articles. They are available at library. However, as we will read most of the following books, you are requested to purchase the following book:

Ian Neary, The State and Politics in Japan (Polity, 2002).

Miscellaneous Information

OFFICE HOURS: BY APPOINTMENT

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