Low voter turnout in Upper House election may reflect an indifference to democracy
In May 1993, general elections were held in Cambodia. Voter turnout was 89.56 percent. People who don't have democracy want it — very badly. Traumatized by 30 years of war, genocide, dictatorship, hunger — just about every evil into which a state can sink — ...
Both the campaign for the Upper House election and its outcome need to be reviewed to learn what can be done to increase voter participation in future elections.
Voter disillusion tempered by realism
Despite Abe's electoral victory, the result is not an overwhelming mandate for transformative change.
Abe's top lieutenants set to retain slots in post-election Cabinet reshuffle
Key members close to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, including Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, are likely to retain their posts in a Cabinet reshuffle that is planned for September, according to ruling lawmakers. Abe sees the contributions of Aso, ...
For Japan, Upper House results signal stability
The results of the Upper House elections promise exactly what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe campaigned upon: stability.
Muneo Suzuki rebounds from cancer, 2010 bribes conviction to win seat in Upper House
Muneo Suzuki, a veteran politician with close ties to Russia, won a seat in Sunday's House of Councilors election, returning to the Diet for the first time since being forced out by a conviction in 2010. The leader of New Party Daichi, a political group ...
Okinawa contradictions need to be fixed
The LDP has lost almost all elections in Okinawa despite the government's candidates consistently being the more qualified and experienced.
Reiwa Shinsengumi makes splash in Japanese election debut, giving voice to people with disabilities
A new anti-establishment group led by actor-turned-politician Taro Yamamoto made a surprisingly strong showing in the Upper House election Sunday, reflecting a sense of stagnation and growing public frustration with vested interests in the country. Reiwa Shinsengumi candidates Yasuhiko Funago, 61, who has Lou Gehrig's ...
Japanese business leaders count on reform progress after ruling coalition's victory
Business leaders welcomed the ruling coalition's victory in Sunday's Upper House election, voicing hope that the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will facilitate progress in improving social security programs and restoring fiscal health. "In this fall's extraordinary Diet session, to sweep away worries about ...
Upper House candidates in Tokyo vie to fill void after exit of popular lawmaker
Candidates are frantically vying for support from unaffiliated voters in Tokyo ahead of Sunday's House of Councilors election in a bid to take advantage of an opportunity created by the exit of popular lawmaker Taro Yamamoto. In the constituency, where 20 candidates are competing for ...
School workshops that foster political engagement prove popular in Japan
Workshops at schools that use comedy or games to encourage young people to get involved in politics are becoming more widespread in Japan ahead of Sunday's House of Councilors election, the third national poll to be conducted since the lowering of the voting age ...
