When I first started walking around neighborhoods in Hirakata back in September, I saw all these posters around. Extremely photoshopped faces of smiley Japanese men. All the smiling and airbrushing made them look unnecessarily creepy. I figured they were probably something to do with politics, and I found later I was right. Something I noticed right away was that in Japan, faces seem to be an important part of the campaigning posters. Back home, all you need is a "Name, Name, Year" with red white or blue somewhere, with some decoration (like "McCain, Palin '08! *stars*). That's it. Maybe Americans assume everyone already knows what they look like?
Anyway, I did some reading on the Japanese political parties. I was surprised to find out that the LDP is the biggest party in Japan (LDP=Liberal Democratic Party, but they're the conservatives. Go figure.), but not so surprised to find out the number of crazy politicians there are in there. Government is wacky no matter where you go, it seems. The more liberal party (The Democratic Part of Japan, not to be confused with LDP!) seems to be the only opposition to the LDP. A two-party system, much like the US. Though I'm fairly sure that no one in Japan under the age of 40 gives a crap about politics, sadly. Political apathy seems widespread here, especially among younger people. Makes me wonder if an Obama-esque politician would have any success here.
1 comment:
Political posters are an excellent way to explore J-politics. And sadly I agree with your assessment of apathy among young (and older) Japanese people.
Japan has a multi-party system. The LDP is in a coalition with New Komeito (the party associated with Soka Gakkai) to maintain a majority vote in the lower house. The DPJ holds thew majority in the upper house which has been making for some interesting skirmishes.
Personally I don't see much difference in philosophical thought between the LDP and the DPJ. Both are quite conservative and the differences between the two seem to be based upon alliances and a desire to maintain or gain power as the case may be. There are other political parties such as the communist party that are quite active but have little support.
One of your classmates posted on posters as well:
http://amagingimme.blogspot.com/2008/12/japanese-politics.html
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