Competing Conceptions of Local Democracy in Japan

Abstract

This chapter seeks to uncover some of the key normative assumptions about local democracy in Japan, focusing on the role and function of local assemblies at municipal level. It analyzes implicit and explicit assumptions about how local representation should function in these two government reports. Through an examination of the major critiques of these proposals, the chapter attempts uncover competing visions of how voters, politicians, parties, and governments should be relating to each other at the local level. Local assemblies are often lacking in diversity, dominated by older males with a narrow range of backgrounds and experience. In March 2018, a panel commissioned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released a report on present state of town and village assemblies, focusing on the shortage of candidates. In July 2017, the Research Group on Local Assemblies/Assembly Members, composed of eight academics – mainly political scientists – released its 32-page report proposing changes to the electoral system for local assemblies.