From: pwu@ai.mit.edu (Peng Wu)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.china,talk.politics.china
Subject: repost: Japan political reform
Date: 17 Nov 92 18:00:23
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
NNTP-Posting-Host: blackjack.ai.mit.edu

{Disclaimer: This article was originally posted to other news group,
 it is reposted verbatim with the hope that this news group might find it
 informative.  The view contained in this article is the author's.}

  Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan
  From: fester@island.COM (Mike Fester)
  Subject: Re: Japanese political reform (used to beNew era in American politics....
  Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 15:54:03 GMT
  
  Sorry for repeating all of Mr Ohtsuka's post, but I feel it does bear 
  repeating.
  
  In article <1dn7g7INN6hs@uniwa.uwa.edu.au> keis@psy.uwa.oz.au (Keis Ohtsuka) writes:
  >
  >1. Direct election of the Japanese prime minister
  >
  >Direct election of the Japanese Prime Minister enables voters to
  >select best candidate for the job. As is, it seems the most
  >incompetent ones get nominated to the job after lengthy infighting
  >among LDP factions. However, I do not agree with DJ regarding renaming
  >the post to "the president."  At best, such change is merely cosmetic
  >and the Japanese bicameral assembly system closely resembles to
  >that of the UK is fine only if voters could get their message
  >across more efficiently.
  
  Mostly agree.
  
  >2. Introduction of absentee voting system for overseas Japanese
  >citizens for national elections
  >
  >Japan is one of few industrial democracies where citizens 
  >living overseas have no input in the political decision
  >making process of a country. Quite a large number of the
  >Japanese citizen live and work outside Japan nowadays who
  >have the first hand opportunity to witness how Japan
  >and Japanese culture is perceived by others. It is a pity
  >that the experiences and expert opinions of these people
  >are completely ignored. As a Japanese citizen, I demand
  >my voting right not to be wasted.
  
  Very slight quibble, here. You CAN vote if you live overseas; you simply have
  to return your ballot BY HAND to your local city hall in Japan.
  
  >3. Revision of the Japanese Constitution regarding Chap. 9
  >(specifically on the definition of the size/role of JSDF)
  >
  >I strongly believe that it is more dangerous to fudge
  >and skirt around the Japanese Constitution and interpret
  >it as you please regarding the national defence.
  >I would like to see the role of the JSDF clearly defined
  >in Chapter 9 and how they participate in UN peace
  >keeping activities as full participating members.
  >As the second largest economy, Japanese must realize that
  >the country has no choice but bear cost, responsibilities,
  >and initiative to keep the world safe place for all
  >people to live. I don't see any problem for defining 
  >a condition in which JSDF is deployed outside Japan
  >if it is under the command of the United Nation
  >for a specified period based on the UN Security Council's
  >decisions.
  
  Agree fully. While in a more perfect world, Japan (and everyone else) would
  have little or no need for any armed forces, the fact remains that Japan has
  responsibilities in the world, and a legitimate right/need to defend herself
  against aggression. HOWEVER, this must be codified into the law of the land,
  so that it is unambiguous as to the role of these forces. I would further like
  to see it written such that the ultimate leader of the armed forces (the 
  Commander in Chief) is a civilian. As it is now, does anyone know who the
  CIC of the JSDF is? 
  
  Mike
  -- 
  Disclaimer - I'm only doing what the little voices tell me to do. 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.china