Random thoughts as I work on my paper on the state of Government and Politics in Japan...

" Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. And politics is the bow of idealism. "

~ Bill Moyers

The dynamism of politics in Japan is my latest object of fancy. It is at once a contest of principles of different political parties and sometimes, simply a masquerade of interests to gain the support of the electorate. It seems to require too much determination for an outcome that is highly unpredictable, yet no endurance is too little for the bureaucracy, businesses and politicians to unite in assorted ways to achieve their goals. The lack of strong political leadership of the Prime Minister, as he attempts to satisfy the shifting alliances of his own party's factions and an opposition that is becoming more credible day by day, makes it almost more exciting than Survivor.

"While the present Japanese politician has brought political stability to Japan, we may be inclined to complain about its immobilism, inflexibilty, corruption and the like, the underlying stability that has previaled has been an inestimable benefit, which the Japanese electorate is unlikely to relinquish lightly. An proposal for reform must address this question of political stability and ensure that stability is not jeopardized". ~ J.A.A Stockwin