The problems of Japanese politics by Hiroki.K.

              The problems of politics become often serious because politics connect popular

life and international relations. In short, politics is one of the most important things for

people. However, only a few people can participate in the politics of the state because

there are too many people in the state. Therefore people must participate in politics by

an indirect way. That is the right to vote. You should think of politics of the state that

you live in because it is very important for people live in there. In my opinion, Japanese

politics is on a verge of a crisis. There are two reasons. First, Japanese young men and

women have political apathy. Second, the Japanese government has leaned to the

political right.

             

First, young men and women have lost an interest in politics. There is a fact 

that political apathy among the young is under way. According to the Ministry of Public　

Management, the voting percentage of Japanese in their twenties was about thirty three

percent and the voting percentage of Japanese in their thirties was about forty four

percent whereas the voting percentage of Japanese in their fifties is about sixty two

percent and the voting percentage of Japanese in their sixties is about sixty eight percent

in 2013. The young have less interest in politics than the old. Furthermore, the voting

percentage of Japanese in their twenties was about thirty four percent and the voting

percentage of Japanese in their thirties was about forty seven percent in 2004. The

voting percentage of the young have decreased gradually. I think the reason of political

apathy among the young is that the young is disappointed in politics. The young

probably think whoever gains political power, Japan will not be better.

Second, the recent Japanese government has leaned to the political right. For

example, the Abe Cabinet have wanted to change an interpretation of the Constitution or

allows Japan to use the right to collective self-defense. If he changed the interpretation

of the Constitution, Japan may be dragged into others nation’s war. So, he will throw

away Japanese pacifism. The rightward trend don’t make people happy.

             

To conclude, Japanese politics have worsened gradually for two reasons. The

first reason is political apathy among the young. The young are disappointed in 

Japanese government and lost an interest in politics. The second reasons is the

rightward trend. Japanese politics has leaned to the political right by the Abe Cabinet. I

think we should have interest in politics and use the right to vote for the good and

peaceful future of Japan.

428 Words

References

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2014, from

              www.soumu.go.jp