4th Online Session

One Party in Democratic Country

As many people know, there is only one party in Japan. There are small parties but it is more true that one party, LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), dominates Japan's politics. This party has been dominating since1955. It is quite long time and even now there is only one party in Japan.

Basically, democratic country has no sole party but different parties and it helps political power to distribute to everyone. Thus, many democratic countries try to have different parties and keep holding each other in check. However, Japan has only one party which is LDP. Ironic factor is that Japan is one of the first modernized and democratic countries in Asia. I can not say that whether it is right or wrong but I think that there is no change in Japan because Japanese people still want to have only one party or they do not feel any need to change it.

However, there are problems because of one party system such as corruption and abuse of power. Japanese politicians know that being a member of LDP is the fast and best way to promote and extend their political power. Thus, they join to LDP rather than work with other small parties and it makes same problems again and again.

If Japanese people feel corruption of LDP, it is the time to move and change it. I think that the best way to change it is participation of Japanese people rather than politicians. If people vote for the true person who will work for Japan even he or she is not a member of LDP, politicians will realize that being a member of LDP is not the only way to be elected. They need to put more effort and interest on politics and the best way to participate for politics is voting. It is true that Japanese people especially, young people do not want to know about politics anymore. It is also one of the biggest problems in Japan in these days. Of course, the government also needs to start change and reform it.

One party in Japan, modernized and democratic country. It is so ironic and unique. I think that it is one reason of that why people say that Japanese politics is unique. Change or not. The key is on hands of Japanese people. It is their choice. They need to do something for their country's future.