Policy entrepreneurship and elections in Japan : a political biography of Ozawa Ichiro / Takashi Oka.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Oka, Takashi, 1924-

Series:

Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese studies series

The Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese studies series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ozawa, Ichirō, 1942-.

Ozawa, Ichirō.

Ozawa, Ichirō, 1942---Political and social views.

Ozawa, Ichirō, 1942---Influence.

Politicians--Japan--Biography.

Politicians.

Political and social views.

Japan.

Japan--Politics and government--1989-.

Politics and government.

Japan--Politics and government--1945-1989.

Political parties--Japan.

Political parties.

Elections--Japan.

Elections.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xiv, 210 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon ; New York : Routledge, 2011.

Summary:

Ozawa Ichiro is one of the most important figures in Japanese politics, having held the positions Chief Secretary of the Liberal Democrat Party and, after defection from the LDP, President of the Democratic Party of Japan. Ozawa has distinctive ideas that set him apart from the average Japanese politician; he believes in the concept of the independence of the individual, as opposed to the importance of the group, and as a policy entrepreneur he has had a huge impact on political change, not only advocating but precipitating institutional change in a key political area - the election system.

Using extensive interview data from key players in the political arena, this book examines Ozawa's struggle to normalize alternation in office between two competing political parties - particularly significant given the results of the 2009 election, which handed over power to the Democratic Party of Japan - and how he has used his entrepreneurial talents to precipitate and carry out institutional change.

Not only a political biography, but also an in-depth analysis of the Japanese political and electoral system this book will be of huge interest to anyone interested in Japanese politics and electoral systems. Book jacket.

Contents:

"Normal nation" : Ozawa's challenge to Japanese exceptionalism

Early years and shaping influences

The Kaifu-Ozawa regime and the first Gulf War

Blueprint for a new Japan : Ozawa's policy manifesto

1993 : the election that opened a new era

Hosokawa cabinet changes the election system

From the NFP to the Liberal Party : Ozawa's wilderness years

The Koizumi phenomenon and Ozawa's response

"Koizumi theater" : the 2005 general election

Ozawa achieves his goal : the DPJ comes to power

The international policies of a "normal nation"

Conclusion: Ozawa's impact on Japanese politics

Epilogue.

Notes:

"Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415587525

0415587522

9780203817360

0203817362

OCLC:

688559371