Introduction
The industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries transformed nations and empowered individuals to seek equality, justice, and freedom from oppression. People realized the need to establish institutions that will safeguard their interests and promote the development of economic, political, and social structures. Democracy became a reality and dictators started to realize the need to respect the rights of other people. It is necessary to explain that people died and the property was destroyed during the struggle for independence in most nations. Therefore, people enjoy the freedom of democracy, even though most of them do not know what their forefathers experienced to make their countries independent. Colonialism, illiteracy, poverty, and diseases are some of the barriers that hindered the attainment of freedom in most nations. This research paper compares various issues surrounding elections in Japan and China.
Independence in Japan and China
Japan is respected by many nations because it has never been under any colony. Other nations were colonized for different periods, but Japan maintained its sovereignty and independence for many years. History explains that the closest this country came to being colonized was during the Second World War when the United States wanted to control it (Thies 2010). However, the colonizers managed to occupy the island of Okinawa for twenty years. The history of Japan dates back to the 18th century when it had already united and formed a central government. It is important to explain that the fact that Japan was never colonized does not mean that it did not experience conflicts. The Mongols tried to invade Japan several times, but this government was strong and defeated its attackers (Grofman 2009). It is important to explain that unity among the Japanese, availability of funds, and a strong political and civil awareness enabled Japan to remain free of outside authorities. Europeans were welcome in Japan during the 16th century, but their influence on the locals was restricted. In addition, contact with the outside world was cut for two centuries when Tokugawa Shogunate united the Japanese and ensured their culture was not interfered with by the western world (Thies 2010). The modernization program launched in Japan during the 19th century enabled this country to defeat Russia in the First World War. However, Japan made a mistake by venturing into a mission of securing resources and the introduction of imperialism in its leadership that made it go to war with China and America. This weakened its military and financial resources and made this government cede part of its island to the United States. The Japanese remained united and focused on the need to develop their economy, strengthen their political institutions and protect the cultural interests of the locals (Kinston 2012).
On the other hand, the history of China is very complicated because this country was initially a kingdom ruled by several leaders (Diamond 2009). However, the China of today got independence in 1949 after the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 but before this, it had been ruled for more than 2000 years by warlords and foreign powers. The defeat of the Chinese Nationalist Party in 1928 marked the beginning of Taiwan’s cessation from China. This country has experienced various political, military, and economic missteps that have exposed it to its enemies (He 2008). This explains why China has suffered various economic and political setbacks and managed to be an independent state recently when other nations had already become sovereign. The most unique aspect about China is that it involved its cultural practices in politics to ensure it maintained its tradition. This explains why this country continues to boast of a rich traditional heritage despite its investments in modern technology.
Elections in Japan
The election system in Japan operates like that of other nations, even though there may be some minor differences. There are three elections in Japan and they include filling offices for the prime minister, members of the House of Representatives, and House of Councilors (Thies 2010). The National Diet is responsible for electing the prime minister, which is usually held when the cabinet resigned or is dissolved and when the seat falls vacant. It is necessary to explain that the cabinet must resign as one after the election of members of the House of Representatives. In addition, the National Diet can elect a prime minister when the incumbent is incapacitated or when this house is not dissolved by a vote of no-confidence (Grofman 2009). Both houses must vote in two-round elections to elect the office bearer; however, the votes of members of the House of Representatives are very influential, and even if there is a tie the prime minister-designate will be the candidate of this house. The office-bearer must be ceremonially appointed by the Emperor of Japan; therefore, he does not have the power to appoint a prime minister but accept the offer made by the National Diet (Kinston 2012). Therefore, the prime minister of Japan must always be on good terms with members of the House of Representatives because they determine his office life.
General elections in Japan are triggered by the following events. First, Japan conducts general elections after every four years and this is a constitutional requirement that must be respected by leaders and civilians. This means that political leaders must prepare to vacate their offices after every four years and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate. In addition, general elections can be conducted when members of the House of Representatives resign due to long-term illness or personal preferences. This gives the electoral body 90 days to conduct fresh elections while the seat of the prime minister remains vacant until when the results of the new elections are announced and the office bearer is sworn in. The dissolution of the lower house (House of Representatives) can also trigger general elections to elect members to these offices because they are government representatives at the local levels
The general election is held after every four years and this involves voting for the members of the House of Representatives. These elections also involve voting for regional representatives (480) that play important roles in the legislation of policies, budget planning, and ensuring that the constitution is implemented. However, when a member of the House of Representatives dies, resigns, or is expelled from his office the region the individual represents will conduct by-elections to replace the leader. This will not affect similar positions held by other people in different regions (Grofman 2009). Lastly, the prime minister may be forced to step down if there is sufficient evidence to prove that the individual has violated the constitution beyond a specified threshold. This may be followed by criminal prosecution depending on the gravity of the crimes committed; therefore, the president of this country is not above the law.
Secondly, the Japanese vote for 242 members to the House of Councilors, and these elections are held after every three years. These office bearers can serve for a maximum period of two terms (six years) (Thies 2010). However, not all members of this house are elected by citizens because the constitution allows them to fill half of the seats available in this house. This election is proportional because it ensures voters can vote for their preferred parties and candidates. These votes are important because they determine how candidates are ranked on the party list and this affects other positions these members may be appointed to in the future (De Mente 2009).
It is necessary to explain that these two chambers from the National Diet play an important role in electing the prime minister. However, elections of members of these houses are not conducted at the same time because most members in the House of Representatives are usually appointed for ministerial positions. In addition, this house is usually dissolved before the end of its four-year term to allow the electoral body to give these members time to elect the prime minister immediately after the election period starts officially. Japan allows its citizens to prepare for by-elections in April and October in case a seat in any of these houses becomes vacant. On the other hand, members that come second in regular elections usually fill vacant proportional seats in the House of Representatives and House of Councilors if they lose their members within three months after their election.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication established a department called the Central Election Administration Committee that conducts and supervises elections in Japan (Grofman 2009). Anyone aged 20 years and above is eligible to vote in all elections except the one for choosing the prime minister. Voters must have resided in Japan for at least three months before they are allowed to vote. Those seeking to be elected members of the house of representatives must be aged 25 years and above while those seeking office in the house of councilors must be 30 years (De Mente 2009). Japan has been criticized for charging contenders a lot of money to run for political offices. For instance, members that wish to contest for single-seat constituencies pay 3 million Yen while those seeking proportional representation.
Voting in national and local elections is done by writing the preferred party’s candidate’s name on a blank piece of paper (ballot paper) prepared by the electoral body (Kinston 2012). The election of members of the House of Representatives involves filling two slots in the ballot paper to vote for a candidate (proportional representation) and party (district representation). In the House of Councilors’ elections, voters have one vote even though there are many candidates to be elected. On the other hand, voters must support their parties in the party list in the proportional vote for the House of Councilors (Thies 2010). This has a significant impact on the outcome of elections because it shows which party has many members in both houses. Japan introduced electronic voting in 2002 and this was successfully done in 2003 that saw more than 10 million people voting early.
China
This country has a complicated electoral process because of the need to preserve traditional aspects that play important role in governing this country. Politics in China does not attract a huge following because it is largely controlled by the Communist Party of China. Most critics argue that this country is still a single-party state because the Communist Party of China continues to win almost all elections (He 2008). In addition, China’s elections are like a ladder and the votes cast at local levels are important in determining the outcome of the position held by members of upper houses. Elections in this country are based on hierarchical electoral systems where members are directly elected into office; moreover, a lower electoral office is responsible for electing its leaders (Fewsmith 2013). The electoral process is structured in a way that voters elect their leaders according to their jurisdictions. The National People’s Council elects the president and the state council because its members come from different locations (Brown 2011).
It is necessary to explain that local elections are very important in China because they determine a lot of aspects in higher offices. Direct elections are done at the local levels and they include congresses that are not divided into cities, districts, towns, and ethnic regions and this also includes members of village committees (He 2008). If political leaders do not play their roles according to the requirements of the constitution may be recalled by the electorate and a fresh election is conducted. The communist party of China plays a significant role in nominating members for direct elections; moreover, this role is open to other small parties. All parties are allowed to nominate their members and submit their names to the electoral committee that evaluates and approves those that qualify to be nominated (Diamond 2009).
Voting is usually done through secret ballot and voters have the power to recall an election if they think it has been marred by irregularities. Family and work units are the main sources of eligible voters, but not until the lists are approved by district electoral bodies (Fewsmith 2013). These districts are the basic levels of an electorate body and they comprise 200-300 members. The models used to determine office holders include direct nominations, elections, two ballots in three rounds, mass recommendation, public recommendation, and vote of confidence (He 2008). China does not have an official opposition party because the Communist Party of China has overwhelming support and control over elections (Brown 2011). This means that even though China is a multi-party state small political affiliations do not have the necessary power to determine the outcome of elections. In addition, aspirants from small parties rely on nominations from the Communist Party of China, and without its support, their political dreams will remain to be a piped dream.
The electoral system of China is different from that of Japan in the following ways. China is ruled by a president and his deputy while Japan is governed by a prime minister. The presence of hierarchies in China complicates election processes and makes them take a long period (Diamond 2009). On the other hand, Japan has three electoral stages that involve the prime minister, the House of Representatives, and the House of Councilors (De Mente 2009). In addition, China respects traditional institutions and believes local leaders play significant roles in determining the future of politics in this country. On the other hand, Japan does not place a lot of emphasis on traditional ties and the role of local leaders in elections and government has disappeared.
In addition, Japan’s elections do not involve direct nominations that favor parties and people. This means that political aspirants must work hard to prove to the electorate that they are suitable for various positions (Grofman 2009). On the other hand, China’s elections are determined by family backgrounds that play significant roles in determining who becomes what in government. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that there is no democracy in China’s electoral processes.
Thirdly, China’s political scene does not merit being called multi-party democracy because of the absence of a strong opposition party (He 2008). The Communist Party of China has weakened institutions and policies that would have promoted the emergence of a strong opposition party (Brown 2011). It is ironic that members of opposition leaders rely on the ruling party to nominate them for elections.
On the other hand, Japan does not have a single ruling partly like China and this means that there is a lot of democratic space in this country (De Mente 2009). People are allowed to vote for their preferred politicians and parties and this means that there are equal chances for all political organizations to win seats in both houses. This shows that this country has matured and respects the need to promote democracy in elections.
Conclusion
Japan and China have long political histories and this makes them unique in terms of governance and elections. Japan was never colonized while China has a history of dynasties, military, and traditional rulers. However, they both struggle to widen their democratic spaces to ensure their citizens enjoy their freedoms. Both countries continue to invest in modern technology, trade, and politics and at the same time protect their traditions from western cultures.
References
Brown, K. (2011). Ballot Box China: Grassroots Democracy in the Final Major One Party State. London: Zed Books.
De Mente, B. (2009). Japan’s Cultural Code Words: 233 Key Terms that Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese. New York: Wiley.
Diamond, L. (2009). Elections and Democracy in Greater China (Studies on Contemporary China. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fewsmith, J. (2013). The Logic and Limits of Political Reform in China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Grofman, B. (2009). Elections in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan under the Single Non- Transferable Vote: The Comparative Study of an Embedded Institution. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
He, B. (2008). Rural Democracy in China: The Role of Village Elections. New York: Palgrave McMillan.
Kinston, J. (2012). Contemporary Japan: History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell.
Thies, M. (2010). Japan Transformed: Political Change and Economic Restructuring. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.