Populist Nationalism Rising in Japan

The Japanese people will elect their next prime minister on December 16th. Amidst political competition, sluggish economic growth, rising territorial disputes and nuclear energy uncertainty, the result may have a profound and lasting impact on the country. The stage is set for the return to power of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but there is also a widespread desire for further reform of the country’s dysfunctional political system. December 16th will be the first Lower House election to take place since the historic Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) landslide victory in August 2009. The DPJ’s victory in 2009 ended almost five decades of continuous LDP one-party rule. Despite the DPJ’s majority in the House of Representatives, the party was not able to deliver the reforms it had promised. Plus, internal party bickering led to the succession of three prime ministers (Hatoyama, Kan and now Noda) in just over three years. Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister Noda’s approval ratings – and his chances of being elected to lead the country - have plummeted.