Abstract:

"Politics in Japan tend to be personal. People vote for candidates they have met or know. The Japanese approach to reaching agreement has been to seek broad consultation and compromise behind the scenes, avoiding direct clashes. As a result, many bills are passed unanimously by the Diet. Foreign policy, particularly those issues involving the U.S. and the Soviet Union, remain important. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has often revealed a flexible approach to foreign and domestic policy issues that has helped it maintain a majority power status. Examples of this is the succession of Prime Ministers from Sato in 1971 through Miki in 1976--all of whom were members of the LDP."