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2007 Assessment

Japan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Japan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	100
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	80

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Article 15 of the Constitution of Japan. Article 9 of the Public Offices Election Act (POEA).

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments: The term of upper house members is six years, and election for half of the members takes place every three years. The term of house of representatives is four years, however, the term could be shortened by the dissolution of the house.

References: Articles 45 and 46 of the Constitution of Japan.

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments: Under Article 7 of Labor Basic Act, when an employee needs to vote during work hours, the employer can not refuse it. However, since election day is Sunday, this article has not been put into action.

References: Article 7 of Labor Basic Act.

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: The Japanese voters put full confidence in secrecy and equal protection of ballots.

References: Article 15 of the Constitution of Japan. Article 52 of POEA (Public Offices Election Act).

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: Elections are almost always held according to a regular schedule.

References: Article 129 of POEA. Interview with Mr.Kuroda, chair of Transparency International Japan, who has many experiences as an election observer.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments: Under Article 3, paragraph 2, of The Political Fund Control Act (PFCA), a political party could be constituted by at least five parliamentarians or gaining 2 percent of the ballots cast in the previous national election.

References: Article 3, paragraph 2 of The Political Fund Control Act (PFCA).

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: All citizens of both sexes 25 years and over are qualified to run for the house of representatives, and 30 years and over to run for the upper house (House of Councilors).

References: Article 14 of the Constitution of Japan. Article 10 of POEA.

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments: In practice, supporters and financial background is necessary.

References: Interview with Mrs. Masako Oowaki, former chairwoman of the Socialist Democratic Party's Research Council.

Peer Review Comments: It's possible, but also difficult.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments: In practice, supporters system and financial background in its respective constituency is necessary.

References: Interview with Mrs. Masako Oowaki, former chairwoman of the Socialist Democratic Party's Research Council.

Peer Review Comments: "Financial background" is a euphemism for money politics. This is particularly the case in the countryside.

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments: In case the ruling party occupies the majority in both houses, but the opposition party can exert some influence on the proceeding of the legislature.

References: Interview with Mrs. Masako Oowaki, former chairwoman of the Socialist Democratic Party's Research Council.

Peer Review Comments: I understand this question to be about the legal position rather than the number of seats. Currently, of course, the opposition has a majority in the upper house and therefore has a very significant influence. If it were a minority, it would clearly have less influence.

Peer Review Comments: The ruling party lost its majority in the upper house in the most recent election.