I.  The Government:

Japan has a democratic system of government and all adults over the age of 20 can vote and run for office. There are three branches of the government:  The Legislative, Executive and Judicial.

The Constitution:
The constitution contains many of the same rights as the US Constitution including freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. Citizens also have the right to work, to equal education, to a minimum standard of living and the right collective bargaining.
The most controversial part of the constitution was Article 9 which renounces force as a means of settling international disputes.  Today, Japan has a military which can be only used for defense and peace-keeping operations (see Geopolitical issues).  There have been no changes to the constitution since it was written in 1947.
The Constitution also changed the role of the Emperor.

The Emperor:

 The Emperor has become a symbol of the state and no longer has any governmental duties but the Emperor presides at official ceremonies and receives foreign dignitaries. Emperor Akhito, the current ruler, came to power after the death of his father, Hirohito in 1989.  The Japanese imperial family is the oldest unbroken dynasty in the world.
(The gate outside of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo)
The Legislature:

The legislative branch is known as the Diet. It is divided into two houses, the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors.  The House of Representatives has 500 members for a maximum four-year term of office. The House of Councillors has 252 members and are elected for six year terms. Most laws must be passed by a majority vote in both houses.  However, a bill can still pass even if not approved by the House of Councillors if the House of Representatives passes it on a second vote by a two-thirds votes. The people elect members of both houses.
(The National Diet building located in Tokyo)
The Executive:

The Prime Minister is a member of the majority party in the Diet.  As in the British parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is selected by the Diet.  The Prime Minister then selects his cabinet members who are appointed the head the various government ministries.   Career civil servants staff Japan’s ministries and agencies. The Diet must approve these choices.  The Diet has the power to remove the Prime Minister from office and the Prime Minister can decide to dissolve the Diet and call for new elections.
Junichiro Koizumi, currently the prime minister was elected to office in April of 2001.  He is a member of the LDP party but is seen as a maverick who promised to tackle the main causes of Japan’s economic malaise
(Junichero Koizumi- Dec. 24, 2002)
Judiciary:
At the top of Japan’s judiciary system is the Supreme Court.  As in the United States, this court is an appellate court dealing with constitutional issues rather than issues of fact. The Supreme Court also has the right of judicial review.
Beneath the Supreme Court are eight high courts similar to the US Circuit Court of Appeals; The District courts are the civil and criminal trail courts.
 

Local Government:
Japan is divided into 47 states that are called prefectures.  An elected governor and a unicameral assembly govern each prefecture.  Cities, towns and villages also have elected mayors and legislative assemblies and have the ability to levy taxes.

Political Parties:
Japan has a multi-party system with several major organized political parties.  However, the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), a conservative party favoring close ties with the United States, and economic development has controlled the government from 1955 to 1993.  In 1993, the LDP, for the first time, lost the national election owing to a series of corruption scandals.  An eight-party coalition of opposition parties controlled the government from 1993-1996.  Although it did not maintain a majority, the LDP remained the largest single party.  In 1997 the LDP regained a small majority.

II.  The Economy
Since World War II, Japan has become one of the world's leading industrial powers.  This economic growth is remarkable considering Japan has few natural resources.  Most fuels and minerals needed for industrialization must be imported.   The mountains in Japan provide two valuable resources: water that can be used for hydroelectric power and timber. The oceans and seas supply Japan with a plentiful supply of fish.
Japan has a labor force of 67.6 million people.  Close to 60% of the workforce is male,
65% work in services; 30% in manufacturing industries, and only 5% in primary activities such as agriculture.

Primary Activities:

Agriculture:
Only 11% of Japan’s land is suitable for cultivation and so farms of generally very small.  Only about 3 percent of all workers are engaged in farming and the average Japanese farm is 3.3 acres in size.  However, the Japanese farms are the most productive in the world.  Using modern technology, farmers are able to produce over half of the fruits and vegetables that are consumed in Japan.

( a small farm in Machida)
 
 
 

The principal crop is rice and it accounts for about one third of total agricultural production.

(a rice field outside of Tokyo)

Japanese farms also grow fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, sugar beets, cabbage, and citrus fruits.  Relatively little land is used for raising livestock.

Fishing:
Japan’s fishing industry is one of the largest in the world and fish is second only to rice as a staple in the Japanese diet.  Despite an annual catch of over 6 million tons of fish, Japan must import more than 40% of its fish.

Forestry:
Owing to variances in climate, many different types of trees grow on 67% of the land. Some of the more common trees are cedars, cypresses, pines, chestnuts, and beeches.  Forestry has always been an important business in Japan. However, there is more of a demand for wood than produced in Japan and close to 80% of its wood must be imported.

Mining:

Among minerals mined in Japan are limestone, coal, copper, lead, and zinc.  However, theses resources are very tiny and the Japanese import almost all of their mineral resources.  Japan is especially dependent on other countries for their fuel products.

Secondary Industries

Following World War II, the Japanese developed a competitive market system that was based on consumer goods.  The Japanese also made use of many scientific and technological advances.  By 1970 Japan had become a major producer of radios, televisions sets, electronic goods, and automobiles.  The country was also one of the leading producers of steel and was the world's leader in shipbuilding.

During the 1970’s and ‘80’s Japan developed into an economic superpower and the country had become very prosperous.  A close relationship exists between industries and the government of Japan.  When in 1973 OPEC raised its oil prices 400 percent, Japan, which is dependent upon imported oil was quickly able to adapt to the higher oil prices.  Government and business stressed energy conservation and increased their investment in producing electricity through the use of alternative energy sources.  With the help of government planning and funding, Japanese business began to move away from iron and steel production, shipbuilding and other heavy industries that required high inputs of energy.  Japanese companies began to enter such high technology fields as robotics and microelectronics, which require small amounts of raw materials and energy.

As in all advanced modern economies, the manufacturing sector has decreased in importance.  During the 1990’s close to tow million manufacturing jobs were eliminated.By 1996 manufacturing output comprised only 25% of the GDP which was down from 36% in 1970.

Japan’s leading manufacturing industries include electrical machinery, food and beverages, transportation equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, and publishing and printing.  It is still a leading producer of automobiles, steel, ships, and electronic equipment.

Tertiary Industries:

Services:

The service industry accounts for more than 60% of the Japanese economy.  The most important service sectors are real estate, wholesale and retail trade, personal services business services, transportation and communication, and finance and insurance.
(the bullet train that travels more than 200 miles per hour)

Tourism:

In 1997 over 4 million people visited Japan and spent $3.3 billion.  This accounts for about 1% of Japan’s GDP.
 
 

The Economy Today

During the 1990’s the great economic bubble of the 1980’s burst.  The recession was prompted by scandals involving government officials, industries, businesses, and bankers.  Japan's economic recovery was hampered by the recession in Asia Pacific region because of enormous investments in the area.  As bad loans accumulated, bankruptcy increased among the largest financial institutions.

In 2001, Junishiro Koizumi was elected to office.  His plans to revitalize the country's economy  with painful economic reforms has not yet happened and the economy remains in a slump.

go to:  Introduction   Geopolitical Theory   Japan at a Glance  Physical Geography  Human Geography Government & Economy     Geopolitical Issues     Timeline     Glossary