East Asia Trends. Phase 2 Report. Topic A-9. Prospects for Continuity and Change in Japan's Domestic, Economic, and Political Parties, 1985-1990

摘要

In the present study we attempt to identify and assess key variables in Japanese 'political culture' which explain continuity and change, i.e., those variables which are most specifically Japanese. The family and workplace are vital units of value foundation and reinforcement with the latter assuming an increasing role in light of Japan's postwar economic achievements. Japan has taken two key steps to insure continuing economic viability: (1) it will work on the leading edge of science and technology to guarantee wholly new product lines and position itself in the arms sector, and (2) it will step up efforts of economic internationalization with more attention to non-trade aspects. The possibilities for a stable, representative political system lie deep in the culture of Japan on the one hand and in the exigencies of the international system with which Japan must cope. As the issue of internationalization is carried beyond that of economic internationalization to a consideraton of an active political-military role in the world considerable restraint is likely to be exhibited by the political leadership finely attuned to the political culture as they are.