The Japanese parliament plays a central role in the election of the prime minister through the ruling LDP.
Introduction Uniqueness of Japanese Politics Election
The prime minister in Japan is not elected directly by the people but by the members of parliament. Since the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has a majority in parliament, the real power is in the LDP presidential election. The president of the LDP becomes the prime minister of the country. This makes this election the most important internal political process in Japanese politics. The 2024 election was particularly important in this sense as it took place amid long-running scandals and economic challenges and saw a record nine candidates participating, the highest number since 1972.
Japanese political system Historical context
LDP dominance The LDP has dominated Japanese politics since World War II. Most of the time this party has been in power, and its president has become the prime minister of the country. Due to this dominance, the internal election of the LDP is actually similar to the selection of the country’s leader. Term limits The term of office of the president of the LDP is three years. And a person can hold this position for three consecutive terms (nine years). This rule was changed in 2017, before which a maximum of two terms (six years) were allowed. Due to this rule change, Shinzo Abe could remain Prime Minister till 2020
Process of election of LDP President
The election of the LDP President is a multi-stage process in which both the party’s Members of Parliament and ordinary members participate. The election process is as follows. Along with candidacy, it is mandatory for a candidate to get the support of at least 20 Members of Parliament to contest the election. But this rule was implemented in 1972 and the 2024 election was the election with the most candidates (nine) since this criterion was implemented. Which election campaign Candidates participate in a two-week-long election campaign. Which includes debates and rallies across Japan. Voting Voting takes place in two phases. But in the first phase, both Members of Parliament and ordinary members vote. And if no candidate gets a majority. So the second round of voting takes place between the two top candidates.
Talking about the mechanics of voting on Japanese politics election
In the first round, each of the 368 members of parliament of the LDP has one vote. But apart from this, the votes of the party’s 1.05 million ordinary members are converted into 368 votes. Also, it becomes a total of 736 votes. The votes of ordinary members are counted first. And their votes are divided into 47 prefectures of Japan. Each prefecture is allotted votes based on its membership number. But if a candidate gets a simple majority (more than 50%) of the total votes in the first round, then he is declared the winner. But in the 2024 election with nine candidates, getting a majority in the first round was extremely rare and a second round of voting was more likely. Also, only the top two candidates participate in the second round. In this phase, all 368 members of parliament are again given one vote.
Role of voters Japanese politics election
LDP members of parliament play the most important role in the election, especially in the second phase. Their votes are not only more numerous, but they are often influenced by various factions within the party, which are powerful groups that control resources and policy influence. Ordinary members of the LDP are individuals who hold membership in the party. Their number has declined in recent decades. And it is believed that the remaining members hold more radical views on important issues than mainstream voters. But this trend can work in favor of more conservative or nationalistic candidates during the election.
Japan Policies election Emphasis on regional economic revitalization
There were six other candidates in the election, including Taro Kono and Takayuki Kobayashi. But the election was mainly considered to be between the three major candidates in the first phase. There are various factions within the LDP party, which play an important role in the party’s internal politics. These factions influence membership, financial resources, and policymaking. But while factions’ influence has diminished somewhat under former Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe and Junichiro Koizumi, they still play an important role in organizing support for candidates in elections. The 2018 data shows how factions aligned in support of Abe. In 2024, Koizumi had the support of several major factions, while Ishiba was mainly backed by his own faction and some members of the Heisei Kenkyukai faction.
Public opinion and pre-election trends
The LDP leadership election requires careful interpretation of opinion polls. But this is because most media surveys focus on the general public or LDP supporter voters rather than ordinary LDP members. Since ordinary LDP members tend to be more conservative than mainstream voters, surveys can sometimes underestimate support for more conservative candidates. Surveys ahead of the election in late September 2024 showed Shigeru Ishiba was the frontrunner among party members, followed by Shinjiro K. Koizumi and Sanae Takaichi were ranked. Among members of parliament, Koizumi had the most supporters (54). But he was followed by Takayuki Kobayashi (42) and Yoshimasa Hayashi (39). 70 members were undecided or did not respond to the survey, leaving the election result uncertain.
New Cabinet and Japanese politics election
The new prime minister forms a new cabinet and appoints to key LDP positions. The leader can also immediately call a general election to seek a national mandate. Shinjiro Koizumi had promised to do so if he won the election, but it was believed the election could be held as late as October 2024. And economic policies The candidates differed significantly on economic policy. Some, such as Koizumi, supported expansionary monetary policy and government spending to stimulate economic growth. Others, such as Takaichi, advocated more market-oriented reforms and hawkish fiscal policies, as well as social and security issues such as the right for married couples to use different surnames and reforms allowing women to become emperors. Security policy and the funding of future defense spending were also debated.
Conclusion: A glimpse of Japanese democracy
The process of selecting Japan’s next prime minister is a unique blend of democratic principles and political pragmatism. But this complex dance is influenced by factional politics within the LDP, personal ambitions and external challenges. The 2024 election, with its record nine candidates, reflects the dynamic nature of Japanese politics, where tensions between youth and experience, tradition and change, and conservatism and liberalism are evident. At the same time, Japan faces domestic economic challenges, an aging population and an increasingly competitive international environment. The new leader will not only lead the LDP into the impending general election, but will also have to cope with these profound challenges. The LDP presidential election is not just about choosing a party leader. It’s about deciding the direction of Japan’s future.
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