Since it's almost Tuesday, which is the day in school we devote to learning about the 2008 Presidential Election, and since the first Presidential Debate is on Friday, I thought I would devote today's post to the topic of government.
The government in Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government, similar the to system of government in England. Just like England has a queen today, Japan has an emperor. The current Emperor of Japan is Emperor Akihito. Legend has it that every emperor of Japan has been a direct descendent of the first emperor, Jimmu, who was a direct descendent of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu (did you know that Japan is known as The Land Of The Rising Sun?). Today, the Emperor does not have any political power in Japan and serves only as a figurehead.
The framework for the Japanese government is outlined in a constitution, just like the American government. In the Japanese constitution, the parliament, or legislative (lawmaking), branch of the government is called the Diet. Like the American Congress and British Parliament, the Diet is bicameral. The upper house of the Diet is called the House of Councilors (Sangi-in). Members of this house are elected by the people every 6 years. The lower house of the Diet is called the House of Representatives (Shugi-in), and members are elected by the people every four years.
Instead of a President, the executive branch of the Japanese government is led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is not elected by the people, like our president, but is a member of the Diet who is appointed to the position by the other members of the lawmaking body. Usually, the Prime Minister is a member of whichever political party has the most seats in the Diet. Today the Prime Minister of Japan is Yasuo Fukuda.
It seems that wherever we go around here, the election is on everybody's mind. In some states, most people have already decided who they are voting for, so the candidates do not invest as much money or time campaigning in those states. In Pennsylvania we are getting a lot of attention from the candidates because we are a swing state. The number of visits to PA by the candidates, the number of commercials we see on TV, and the number of signs on the streets are only going to increase as it gets closer to the election. It's going to be a very exciting time here! I am curious to see what the people in Japan think about our upcoming election. I wonder if it is reported on the news there and if it is written about in the newspapers?
The government in Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government, similar the to system of government in England. Just like England has a queen today, Japan has an emperor. The current Emperor of Japan is Emperor Akihito. Legend has it that every emperor of Japan has been a direct descendent of the first emperor, Jimmu, who was a direct descendent of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu (did you know that Japan is known as The Land Of The Rising Sun?). Today, the Emperor does not have any political power in Japan and serves only as a figurehead.
The framework for the Japanese government is outlined in a constitution, just like the American government. In the Japanese constitution, the parliament, or legislative (lawmaking), branch of the government is called the Diet. Like the American Congress and British Parliament, the Diet is bicameral. The upper house of the Diet is called the House of Councilors (Sangi-in). Members of this house are elected by the people every 6 years. The lower house of the Diet is called the House of Representatives (Shugi-in), and members are elected by the people every four years.
Instead of a President, the executive branch of the Japanese government is led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is not elected by the people, like our president, but is a member of the Diet who is appointed to the position by the other members of the lawmaking body. Usually, the Prime Minister is a member of whichever political party has the most seats in the Diet. Today the Prime Minister of Japan is Yasuo Fukuda.
It seems that wherever we go around here, the election is on everybody's mind. In some states, most people have already decided who they are voting for, so the candidates do not invest as much money or time campaigning in those states. In Pennsylvania we are getting a lot of attention from the candidates because we are a swing state. The number of visits to PA by the candidates, the number of commercials we see on TV, and the number of signs on the streets are only going to increase as it gets closer to the election. It's going to be a very exciting time here! I am curious to see what the people in Japan think about our upcoming election. I wonder if it is reported on the news there and if it is written about in the newspapers?
7 comments:
If the emperor is just a figurehead, what do they use him for?
Does he have any specific job in the country? Or does he just walk around doing nothing?
Are you still doing your work, or are you enjoying all the manga? My friend Jaimi said you were amazing for getting into all of this stuff.
-Priscilla M.
What a great question about the Emperor of Japan! I did a little research and found a website that give the background of the current Emperor and his family. It also talks about what his responsibilities. It seems that most of what he does is rooted in tradition and custom, much like the Queen of England. Here's the site if you're interested in learning more: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e03/ed03-01.html
I still have a TON of work to do to get ready for my trip, but it I'm making sure I take time to enjoy the process, too. One way I'm doing that is by posting updates on this blog to share my information with all of you...and then I let myself read a little bit more of Naruto each night :) I had to read it a couple times before I realized that I should have been reading it right to left instead of left to right, but now that I have that figured out I'm really enjoying it! Thanks for the recommendation, Priscilla!!
You still have to read Bleach next! It's amaaaaaaaaaazing! My favorite among favorites. But they're both really long. So it might take awhile! But it's worth it!
-Priscilla M.
don't we have a House of Representatives too?
-Kimmiew
Hey Ms. Brazina, it's Elena.
Sorry I haven't had a chance to read your blog before, but it is really interesting! Is the Prime Minister is more important than the emperor, or is the power balance is equal? And i was also wondering-is the House of Councilors like the Senate here in the US?
Wow, I can't believe your going to Japan in about 2 weeks! See you in D Period!
Kimmie & Elena, you both asked great questions. I don't think the Emperor has any power to make laws these days. According to one site I read, I think he appoints the Supreme Court justices.
We do have a House of Representatives, which is like the lower house of the Diet. The upper house of the Diet is very much like our Senate...but much bigger!
I can't believe I'm leaving in two weeks either! I might live on Pocky over there, they were so good! ;)
I was just reading about Shintoism (a religion that was founded in Japan around 550 BCE and is one of the most practiced religions - along with Buddhism - in Japan) and found some interesting information about the duties of the Emperor. One of the Emperor's religious duties is called "Niinamesai", in which the Emperor, according to Shinto tradition, makes an offering to the gods of the first grains from the first harvest of the New Year.
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