Japan is often praised as a stable democracy; however, a closer look at its political and economic landscape reveals troubling signs of democratic backsliding. From prolonged economic stagnation and voter apathy to entrenched political control by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japan’s democracy is increasingly being called into question.
The Lost 30 Years and Political Stagnation
Japan is the only developed country that has been in deflation for over 30 years, a period widely referred to as the Lost 30 Years. Despite economic struggles and increasing hardship, there has been little political upheaval. According to a 2024 survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, 57.2% of households report experiencing financial hardship, with particularly high rates among households with children (62.1%) and elderly households (53.4%).
One might expect widespread protests or calls for reform, but Japan remains strikingly silent. This silence is not merely cultural; it is deeply intertwined with Japan’s political structure, media influence, and economic policies that sustain the ruling elite.
The Collapse of Small Businesses and LDP’s Economic Strategy
A critical yet under-discussed issue in Japan’s democratic erosion is the collapse of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs employ about 70% of Japan’s entire workforce, making them the backbone of the economy. However, in 2024, Japan recorded over 10,000 corporate bankruptcies—the highest in 11 years.
This is not just because consumers are spending less due to the high consumption tax. Many SMEs are forced to borrow from banks just to pay their consumption tax, creating a vicious cycle of debt that ultimately leads to insolvency.
Yet, rather than addressing this crisis, the LDP has justified it as “metabolizing the market”—a euphemism for allowing small businesses to fail while strengthening large corporations that contribute to voting blocs. In essence, the government prioritizes corporate giants over the 70% of workers employed by SMEs, reinforcing economic disparity and political stagnation.
The One-Party Rule and the Illusion of Choice
The LDP has maintained near-continuous power for over 70 years, with one brief interruption. A major criticism of Japan’s democracy is its low voter turnout, which contributes to the LDP’s dominance. However, voter apathy alone does not fully explain the party’s long-term grip on power.
A key factor is Japan’s voting bloc system, particularly the role of Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation. Comprising 1,494 major companies, 108 industry associations, and 47 regional economic organizations, Keidanren has long been a crucial supporter of the LDP. In return, the LDP has shaped its economic policies to benefit large corporations at the expense of SMEs and the general public.
Consider Japan’s consumption tax:
- Introduced in 1989 at 3%, it increased to 5% (1997), 8% (2014), and 10% (2019).
- Each tax hike was accompanied by a corporate tax cut, benefiting large firms while burdening ordinary consumers.
As a result, the government has recorded historic tax revenues while SMEs collapse under financial strain. This economic structure ensures that power remains concentrated among corporate elites and the ruling party, sidelining ordinary citizens.
The Role of Media in Sustaining the Status Quo
One of the most alarming aspects of Japan’s democratic erosion is media control. Many of the largest firms benefiting from LDP policies include major media organizations, such as TV networks and newspapers. These media outlets shape public discourse and influence voting behavior, particularly among the elderly—the largest demographic in Japan’s aging society.
Despite their economic struggles (53.4% of elderly households report financial hardship), many older voters continue to support the LDP. This paradox can be explained by their reliance on mainstream media, which tends to promote narratives favorable to the ruling party and its allies while downplaying alternatives.
The Passive Citizenry: A Deeper Problem?
By definition, in a democracy, citizens are the owners of the country and politicians are their employees. Yet, in Japan, this fundamental concept has been largely forgotten.
For decades, Japanese citizens have neglected their responsibility as active participants in a democracy. Many perceive politicians as VIPs—highly educated individuals who should be respected and entrusted with decision-making. Meanwhile, ordinary people see themselves as “lesser commoners” who “don’t know any better” and should refrain from questioning authority.
This passive attitude is deeply rooted in Japan’s history of feudalism and patriarchy, which emphasized obedience and hierarchy over individual agency. While Japan officially transitioned to democracy after World War II, cultural and structural remnants of this historical mindset persist, making active civic engagement rare.
The Education System and Political Apathy
Japan’s education system further reinforces political disengagement. Schools favor passive learning, where students simply copy down what teachers say without critical discussion.
Subjects like civics and history are taught as memorization-based disciplines, rather than opportunities to analyze government policies or question political structures. Classroom discussions on politics are virtually nonexistent. In fact, Japanese society generally discourages public discussions on politics, religion, and even sports, reinforcing a culture where questioning authority is seen as taboo.
The government has played a significant role in shaping this non-confrontational education system, ensuring that future generations remain politically passive. The result? A population conditioned not to challenge the status quo.
A Chicken-or-Egg Problem?
Is Japan’s democratic erosion driven by government suppression or by citizens’ internalized obedience? This question resembles the classic chicken-or-egg dilemma.
On the one hand, the LDP and its corporate allies have actively shaped a system that discourages political participation and favors the ruling elite. On the other hand, citizens themselves have long accepted political disengagement as the norm, perpetuating a cycle of democratic stagnation.
Rather than debating which came first, the more urgent question is: How can Japan break free from this cycle?
Conclusion: Can Japan Reverse Democratic Erosion?
Democracy is more than just holding elections; it requires genuine political competition, government accountability, and active citizen participation. Japan’s current trajectory threatens these democratic ideals.
To reclaim true democracy, Japan needs:
- Structural reforms to break the voting bloc system and ensure fair political competition.
- Media independence to provide balanced reporting and counter political propaganda.
- Education reform to encourage political literacy and civic engagement among young people.
Unless these changes occur, Japan risks becoming a democracy in name only, where elections exist but real political change remains impossible.
The world often sees Japan as a model of stability, but beneath the surface lies a system that is slowly unraveling. Whether Japanese citizens recognize and resist this erosion will determine the future of their democracy.
I really enjoyed reading about the current state of Japanese democracy. They are such a unique country in their history, culture, and economy. I appreciated your focus on all of these aspects of Japanese life. It seems like Japan is being influenced by governments that surround it geographically. The monopolization of corporations and their political influence reminds me of the Chaebol (large corporations like Samsung) in South Korea, and how they are actively causing economic inequality in South Korea. Also, the LDP seems to be adapting their political playbook from the PAP in Singapore, who have remained in autocratic power since 1959. The way this interacts with remnants of feudal Japanese history and culture is so interesting. Very good read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this post, particularly as it deconstructs the popular perception that Japan’s democracy is an idyllic, infallibly stable system. The shortcomings of Japan’s democracy that this post identifies – voter apathy, economic hardship, and entrenched control of a domineering party – are seldom publicized or discussed to the same extent as democratic erosion in other established democracies. Prior to reading this article, I was unaware of the alarming degree of these issues, such as the fact that nearly 60% of all households claim to experience financial distress and approximately 70% of the country’s labor force is employed by small and medium-sized enterprises. Highlighting these facts in conjunction with an illustration of how Japan’s education system inhibits voters’ capacity to challenge political authority are particularly pertinent insights for understanding Japan’s silent democratic decline. I agree with the solutions identified in this post; however, I am curious as to how these changes would precipitate, given that it is not in the LDP’s interest to implement reforms facilitating political competition and – as noted in the article – the public has been conditioned to not challenge the status quo and thus unlikely to advocate for broad reform.