Course Outline for M. Phil Course: Government and Politics in Japan

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Meiji Restoration

Meaning, Constitution, Structure of Government,  

Parliamentary Politics and Role of Military in State 

Policy Making.

2. Occupation Reforms    

Constitution, Land Reforms, Bureaucracy

3. Political Parties and their Support base –  

Conservatives : LDP, 

Progressives : JSP and JCP

and Centrist Parties : Komeito and    

DSP - Factions, Koenkai and Unions.

4. Government Structure

National

Prime Minister, Bureaucracy, 

Administrative Guidance, Administrative  Reforms.

Local     

Parliament, Committees, Election System

Central-local relations.

5. Issues                  

Foreign and Defense policy, Question of Deploying 

SDF Overseas, Changing Regional and International 
Politics, Impact and Japanese Response.        

Social Welfare policy – Medical Care, Pension System.

Human Rights in Japan: Burakumin, Koreans, Foreign Residents, Women and Human Rights Policy.

6. Nationalism and Internationalism in Japanese Politics.

7. Coalition Governments

   In 1990s – Decline of LDP dominance, Political

   Realignment, Political Reforms, Contours of
   Two-Party System.

Importance of Structural and Political Reforms.

Koizumi and Abe and Challenges of 21st Century.
(courting China and India, dealing with Iraq and Terrorism)    

8. Summary and Comments:  Performance and  Prospects for  Liberal Democracy in Japan.    

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