Wikipedia said:The politics of Japan take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament; the Diet with the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. In academic studies, Japan is generally considered a constitutional monarchy, based largely upon the British system with strong influences from European continental civil law countries such as the German Bundestag. For example, in 1896 the Japanese government established Minpo, the Civil Code, on the French model. With post-World War II modifications, the code remains in effect in present-day Japan. [1]
Japan isn't a democracy, it is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy.
Sounds like a little bit of everything.
How does that work?
Level of Democracy
Japan: Universal male suffrage from 1926, and Universal male & female sufferage from 1945
USA: Universal sufferage male from 1788, but universal sufferage including African-American commenced from 1971.
China: Nobody know.
USA is one of the countries that recently introduced Universal Sufferage.
It is likely that Japanese democracy is better than USA.So you think U.S. democracy's dying? Well, you're probably right
To Americans and non-Americans alike, I recommend "Just How Stupid Are We?" (Don't answer that.) This is a fascinating study of the American political mind by historian Rick Shenkman, founder of Virginia-based George Mason University's popular Web site, History News Network.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20081005rp.html
At least, American electorate voted in Barack Obama as the next president. I simply cannot foresee the Japanese nominating the inspirational Prime Minister (They keep voting in the sleep-inducing old farts in to the Diet). Democracy is an imperfect system (as any system created by humans would be imperfect). But, in my opinion, American system is better than Japan.It is likely that Japanese democracy is better than USA.
At least, American electorate voted in Barack Obama as the next president. I simply cannot foresee the Japanese nominating the inspirational Prime Minister (They keep voting in the sleep-inducing old farts in to the Diet). Democracy is an imperfect system (as any system created by humans would be imperfect). But, in my opinion, American system is better than Japan.
As I said, no human-made system is perfect. My take is that American system is better than Japanese one. This is based on my own experience and the actual mileage may vary for other people. I was disgusted with the G W Bush policies and am not going to give a blank check of approval to the American system. But, in the relative term, the Japanese system (or rather what is being practiced in Japan) is very pathetic (the conformist at its worst).According to your definition, "Democracy" need "Change".
US citizen seem to like "Change".
8 years ago, you chose G.W. Bush for "Change", and now you chose Obama for "Change".
For your reference .... Democracy is a form of government in which the supreme power is held completely by the people under a free electoral system. Democracy - Wikipedia
"Change" is not essential but a free electoral system is. "Short temper" demanding "Change" often make things worse as 8 years ago.
We shoud conshider Jean-Jacques Rousseau's thought why we have to choose democracy.As I said, no human-made system is perfect. My take is that American system is better than Japanese one.
Actually, it does not.Democracy Index - Wikipedia
Japan is at #17
The US is at#18.
I guess that should say atleast something.