picture of the day

Democracy in action

39 Comments

Protesters scuffle with police during a rally in front of the Diet building on Wednesday night, after a parliamentary committee approved legislation that would expand the role of Japan's military.

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Democracy in action? Sure took the people long enough to get into action, and typically like with so many other things here in Japan, after the fact. Time for folks to put pressure on BEFORE things get decided.

7 ( +15 / -8 )

Yubaru: Your comment makes it sound like this was the first and only rally or protest, it's not! Besides, in a true democracy, change can come at anytime, before or after, makes no differance.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

Good to see some Japanese people finally rise up and take some initiative against this facist government. Good to see this facist government get their feet held to the fire.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

You're both right. There ARE protests before, but they follow rules and are largely peaceful. There need to be more SCUFFLES and fights and physical pressure put on the government BEFORE such laws are enacted, not just protests that the government doesn't care one wit about.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Smith: In my youth, I'd completely agree with you but I can't find any statistics proving that physical disobedience is more effective than peaceful protest. Once you become physical, that gives reason to arrest and shut down the movement all together.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

There need to be more SCUFFLES and fights and physical pressure put on the government BEFORE such laws are enacted,

so violence is the answer? smh...

@yubaru there have been protests going on for months. do you willfully chose to ignore reality? or does it give you some type of comfort to criticize japan? smh...

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Getting colder.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Democracy has nothing to do with scuffles and protests. It has to do with education and long term effort. Expose corruption and cronyism. Persist. Anybody who thinks that carrying a sign in the street is going to change anything is kidding themselves.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@Yubaru. Your comment is sooo- accurate. Too little, too late.

typically like with so many other things here in Japan, after the fact.

The issue has been on the table for a while. People need to wake up. Or engage in serious, prolonged (but non-violent) protesting in Tokyo like how Hong Kong's youth demonstrated last year-

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

i don't appreciate the sarcasm in this title one bit. While one could argue the current government is the product what the majority of japanese people wanted, these people who oppose against the amendment to Article 9 deserve to have their voices heard. When they are faced with only half-decent opposition party and lacklustre of political dialogue, they are forced to take to the streets.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Abe made a promise to some really important and very powerful people, if you think a little demonstration will change that, LOL.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"Abe vows to change constitution, reestablish 'proud Japan'" - This was a JapanToday headline from March 18th, 2013. Support for his cabinet around this time, after this story, was around 62%. Right wing patriotic books and films like Eternal Zero were all the rage and reestablished national pride.

Fast forward to today and now there are shouting politicians and angry protestors. What changed? Why at the 11th hour does everyone all of the sudden want to stand up and get angry when pen is about to be put to paper? Abe never lied, didn't change his story, and now the sheep are angry that the wolf they voted for is being the wolf they voted for.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Labaling and bashing each other ("traitor to Japan" on one hand and "fascist" on the other) will lead us nowhere. Time to face the Article 9 without either demonizing or glorifying it. Feel torn apart, since as much as I hate Abes political philosophy and his insincere attitude towards communicating with his opponents, total lack of interest on the mainstream opponentsside in Japan`s foreign and security policy irritates me.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The true democracy is for a referendum on the matter and there isn't any talk of that! The LDP is being undemocratic and by passing this legislation will endanger all of us here in Japan. The stage is being set for social disobedience......

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Perhaps at the next election people will think about who they vote for, rather than just voting for the son of the last guy.

But they probably won't.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Democracy is not demonstrating in the streets or writing scathing editorials in the newspapers. Democracy is getting off your backside, going to the polls, and casting your vote.

But in Japan even voting is not a real exercise in democracy, because in Japan one person does not really get one vote. If you live inside the city, your vote is counted once, but if you are an elderly farmer, or live in the countryside, your vote is counted 2.6 times. By pandering to this smaller group of people whose votes are valued more, the LDP has managed to hold onto power since Japan's modern government was formed. This pandering has resulted in 700% tariffs on rice, 340% tariffs on dairy products, 50% tariffs on meat, etc. The rest of us whose votes are valued less have to subsidise those people whose votes are counted more. Is this really democracy?

The people have themselves to blame for allowing their politicians to create and exploit this system, and eventually, the people will pay the price for their apathy.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

The LDP is being undemocratic and by passing this legislation will endanger all of us here in Japan.

@kurisupusu. LoL, you're not in any danger here in japan. The sdf are not inept to provide for the common defense. Plus you got US forces protecting you as well.

The stage is being set for social disobedience......

. . . And it's about time! These security bills didn't just pop-up in the cabinet over the weekend.

The issue has been on the table for a while.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

or does it give you some type of comfort to criticize japan? smh...

Typical knee-jerk reaction from a right-winger. Both Smith and Yubaru have a point; too much gets protested after the fact in Japan. But on the other hand, the stakes need to be raised.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

@yubaru there have been protests going on for months. do you willfully chose to ignore reality? or does it give you some type of comfort to criticize japan? smh -

Ignore reality? I guess you havent seen my previous posts about the protesters. People here wake up late, after the laws are enacted how you do propose that they get repealed?

I have every right to criticize Japan as I am a Japanese citizen.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Ignore reality? I guess you havent seen my previous posts about the protesters. People here wake up late, after the laws are enacted how you do propose that they get repealed?

Enacted? Hardly. In baseball terms, the bill reached first base yesterday.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

And we know the bill will get enacted, as the DPJ have no power to stop it

0 ( +4 / -4 )

as the DPJ have no power to stop it -

Exactly. The dpj (and other oppositional parties) are a national joke. Which illustrates Yubaru's original comment and follow-up comment-

People here wake up late

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Enacted? Hardly. In baseball terms, the bill reached first base yesterday. -

Please read my post again. If you know anything about the state of Japanese politics you would know that there is nothing the opposition can do to stop their enactment.

Abe would like to think he is hitting a grand slam here, but in reality it seems to me it's more like a comedy of errors that is going to push this one across the plate.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Please read my post again. If you know anything about the state of Japanese politics you would know that there is nothing the opposition can do to stop their enactment.

Huh? There's been countless bill submitted by the ruling party that was scrapped and never to be surfaced again.

Abe would like to think he is hitting a grand slam here, but in reality it seems to me it's more like a comedy of errors that is going to push this one across the plate.

Nope. In baseball terms, the bill is going to steal second today, and suddenly a big storm where the game is delayed for xxx days.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Ignore reality? I guess you havent seen my previous posts about the protesters. People here wake up late, after the laws are enacted how you do propose that they get repealed?

the law has not been enacted yet. it is being submitted to the upper house today or tomorrow for ratification/rubber stamping. but in the past month citizens have been forming human chains around the diet building in protest of these bills. they haven't woken up too late to protest. they have been making their voices heard.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We all know that the bill's enactment is (unfortunately) a matter of time.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yubaru: While I agree that people tend to not realize they have a good thing till it's gone, it's not just a "Japanese thing," its global. And again you avoid the concept of a true democracy, if something changes to a negative, the majority of citizens should have the power to change it back to a positive! It seems your in the group that says, why polish the brass on a sinking ship? If you actually care about Japan, than why didn't you take your own advise by protesting against "Reinterpretation" long ago?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you actually care about Japan, than why didn't you take your own advise by protesting against "Reinterpretation" long ago?

Because unless you're a Japanese citizen, you have no voting rights whatsoever

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@Stuart hayward,

On paper thats how democracy is supposed to work but it doesnt really work that way.

The cops should be arresting the thug politicians.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Nope. In baseball terms, the bill is going to steal second today, and suddenly a big storm where the game is delayed for xxx days. - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/citizens-react#comment_2017359

It passed the lower house and now there is nothing to stop it.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Christopher: I never suggested that foreigners could vote, but you CAN protest! My comment was directed at Yubaru, who can vote and protest.

Pointofview: The only reason it doesn't work that way is because the public tends to allow politicians to only work for themselves, instead of working for the citizens. As for your second comment, I agree!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I never suggested that foreigners could vote, but you CAN protest!

Actually, as a foreigner you have to be a bit careful about this.

In 1978 the Supreme Court decided that the Minister of Justice has discretion to not renew your visa if your protests (against US military bases in this case) are deemed by the Minister to not be in Japan's interest. In otherwords, even though you have a right to speak, it's not a violation of your freedom of speech to kick you out of Japan at the next available opportunity if the government doesn't like what you are saying.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Stuart hayward:

When there is intense protesting to fight against the wrong doings or unethical behavior of politicians, they are quickly apprehended and jailed. This is the course of action these days. The public has no power at all as the police will always protect the politicians as a whole. Your remedy to win democracy/freedom ended ages ago. Too much power in government and it has gained too big of a lead on Joe public to reverse it. We`ll need someone very special to do that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Too much power in government and it has gained too big of a lead on Joe public to reverse it.

Joe public should've woke up decades ago. Again this supports Yubaru's theory. Sorry for the redundancy, but it is what it is-

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Pointofview: So you suggest giving up and doing nothing as a solution? Or why even try because nothing will ever change? Though I agree that it seems impossible to hold politicians accountable for their misdoing's, I will continue trying my best to change that for the better. Having a family with children, tends to make one not want to give up.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

YubaruJul. 16, 2015 - 03:26PM JST

It passed the lower house and now there is nothing to stop it.

Not really.

The discussion in the Upper House would take about 2 months. If takes longer and the bill does not pass by September 27 term end, the bill dies.

In the Upper House, LDP, Komeito and Jisedai have 139 seats out of 242 seats. If 19 defects due to unpopular nature of the bill, the bill also dies.

LDP coalition may reapprove the bill by 2/3 majority of the Lower House. 317 seats are required for 2/3 majority, and LDP, Komeito and Jisedai have 327 seats. If 11 defects, the bill dies.

The chances are small due to strong party discipline, but there are still chances.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I doubt that Komeito will approve it at all.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Stuart hayward,

They have broken the law by doing such things and they are never held accountable. The public have stated very clearly already that they dont want this change. It is corruption at best. Fighting for the future comment has no merit. If Japan wasnt a so called democracy already, your statement would make far more sense.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Pointofview: My last statement asked you two questions, you avoided both. Fighting for future commet has no merit???

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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