This course examines the challenges of current Japanese politics,and explores solutions.
Looking at the low voter turnout in recent national elections, the decline in public interest in politics, especially among young people, has become noticeable in recent years. Considering that budget compilation, tax reform, and enactment and revision of various laws take place in the political arena, it is nothing less than a blank mandate by many citizens, which is a serious problem. In this course, based on the actual experience of an instructor who worked as a bureaucrat for 18 years in central government ministries (including 2 years at the prime minister's office) and as a member of the House of Councilors for 2 terms and 12 years (serving again at the prime minister's office as deputy chief cabinet secretary) It examines these issues through various points such as the relationship between government and bureaucracy, politics and industry, the structure of elections and movement theory, the distance between politics and the public, and the lack of a sense of ownership, and seeks solutions.
While the policy-making theory course offered in the fall semester(33453) explains the policy-making process with a focus on governance structures (administration and legislation), this course focuses on the changes in politics before and after the war, and the current state of debate and issues in the Diet. In addition to explaining the points, I will also explain the election process in which the sovereign people choose politicians as their representatives, the problem of communication between politicians and the people, and how the people can participate in politics and public policy with a sense of ownership. I would like to deepen my consideration with the students on how to change Japanese politics in the future. In general, we recommend starting with policymaking theory(33453), but you can also start with this course.