In Japan's first policy referendum in history, the residents of Maki, Japan resoundingly rejected a plan to build a nuclear power plant, introducing hitherto unknown local community interference into the nation's nuclear energy policy. Referendum supporters are hailing the vote as the first sign of direct democracy in a nation that tends to be governed from the top down by small groups of elite decision makers with little or no public dabate. Although the plants are owned by private electricity companies, the government indemnifies the risky operations and compensates areas that accept them. The arguments flew, burying townsfolk under reams of daly advertising inserts in newspapers. Makoto Kikuchi, who led the referendum effort, said the Maki vote was a wake up call to politicians that it is time to open up the policymaking process.
Arrogant politicians tend to think direct democracy is shugu seiji - mob rule.
Japanese government officials and power company executives vowed to redouble efforts.