Green Politics In Japan

This excerpt from the book "Green Politics In Japan" by Lam Peng-Er discusses the challenges that Japan's green political parties face. The author points out that the parties have yet to make a significant breakthrough into the political mainstream, and that the increasing concern about the environment has not yet manifested itself in a fashion similar to the rise of Green parties in Europe. The author also discusses the strengths and organization of Japan's greenest party, NET, as well as the older parties, the LDP and JCP. He looks at the strong grassroots support for the LDP and the ways in which it, and the JCP, are able to undermine NET through the adoption of certain Green policies. The author also discusses the ideology, support and sponsors of NET, as well as the role of women in Japanese politics. The book reveals that until such ties and attitudes change, any green political force in Japan is likely to remain a minor one.

A breakthrough into the political mainstream seems unlikely for Japan's green political parties. Increasing concern about the environment has yet to manifest itself in a fashion similar to the rise of Green parties in Europe. For Japan the well-oiled party machines of the established political groupings continue to dominate the social networks that are crucial for electoral success. Lam Peng-Er examines the strengths and organization of Japan's greenest party NET (The Network Movement) as well as the older parties such as the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) and JCP (Japan Communist Party) he looks at the strong grassroots support for the LDP and the ways in which it, and the JCP, are able to undermine NET through the adoption of certain Green policies. The ideology, support and sponsors of NET are also closely analyzed, as is the role of women. The book reveals that urban politics in post-industrial Japan is still dominated by the old parties and the conservative values of hierarchy and deference that bind voters to the likes of the LDP. Lam Peng-Er demonstrates that until such ties and attitudes change, any green political force in Japan is likely to remain a minor one. Review: This study has many general findings beyond its primary concern with party politics as it points incisively to the limits of change in Japan's urban society. It paints the picutre of a country at the turn of the new century which is structured to hinder the emergence and growth of Green politics and which perpetuates the strength of the 'old' political parties.. -David Edgington, Pacific Affairs