Why the shift from kokubô (national defense) to anzen hoshô (security)? A study of the basic issues surrounding Japan's security

The Japanese term anzen hoshô is usually translated into English as "'security," but its literal meaning is "the securing of safety." While this term means many things, in order to understand its true meaning, we must first take a fresh look at another term, kokubô or "national defense," the idea that only when the safety of the nation has been secured can the personal safety and freedom of the individual be guaranteed. In this article, Professor Seizaburo Sato, former Director of Research at the Institute for International Policy Studies, argues that the reasons for the existence of the military capabilities of the advanced democracies must be reexamined to enable an expansion of the debate on Japan's security.     

Perils of pork‐barrel politics: The birth of the Murayama government

In August 1993, Morihiro Hosokawa's coalition government brought an end to the “1955 Regime” of Liberal Democratic Party‐dominated politics in Japan. Since then, Hosokawa himself has been brought down, as has his successor Tsutomu Hata. After years of stability, Japanese politics are now marked by confusion and indecision that show no signs of abating. In this article, IIPS Research Director Seizaburo Sato, who is also professor of political science at Keio University in Tokyo, points out that whatever happens to the not‐so‐strange bedfellows of the present governing coalition, Japan as a nation is at a historical crossroads, and the decisions it makes in the next few years will have far‐reaching implications.     

Japan's democracy in crisis: The new tide in Japanese politics

Since August 1993, when Morihiro Hosakawa inaugurated his “anti‐LDP” coalition, unstable coalitions have held power in Japan. Popular displeasure with the current state of politics has been evidenced by voter volatility and low electoral turnouts. In two notable cases, “flash candidates “ have assumed office, and, in some local elections, candidates have run unopposed. What does this listless version of dissent bode for Japanese politics? IIPS Research Director Seizaburo Sato is Professor at the Saitama University Graduate School of Policy Science. In this article, he maps out the issues that have left post‐Cold War Japanese politics in disarray and examines various potential scenarios, from a “super party “ larger than the LDP at its zenith, to the birth of a two‐party system.     

Three major twentieth century trends and Japan's future role

Three trends—nationalism, industrialization, and egalitarianism—have been predominant in the twentieth century, according to Seizaburo Sato, professor of political science at Saitama University and research director at IIPS. Each of these trends has created its own unique problems that demand new solutions, Sato explains. In this new global environment Japan must overcome the trauma of World War II, argues Sato, and play an active international role that contributes economically, culturally, and even militarily to the strengthening and expansion of the security community and the promotion of sustainable industrialization.     

Clarifying the right of collective self‐defense

Since the 1950s the Japanese government has irrationally claimed that the Constitution bars it from exercising the right of collective self‐defense, says Seizaburo Sato, IIPS research director. International law clearly gives Japan the right to exercise both individual and collective self‐defense, says Sato, but the Japanese government's official view does not conform with this law. Sato sees the right to exercise collective self‐defense as essential to Japan's security, and argues that Japan should immediately declare this right. Then, taking all necessary time and in accordance with post‐war Japan's founding ideals, Japan should amend the Constitution.     

Democracy and market economy

In the following article, Professor Seizaburo Sato, former Research Director of the Institute for International Policy Studies, addresses the relation between democracy and market economy and the problems that might develop as economic globalization continues to deepen. Liberal democracy and market economy face a number of problems, he says, but they are at this stage the best political and economic systems to follow, and we should take steps to improve them where we can. Although recognizing the positive value of diversity, he emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and a minimum set of common rules. At the same time, he urges constant technological innovation and the fostering of capable political leaders who have a comprehensive vision for the future and a strong sense of public responsibility.