(c) Ralph Ryan Yparraguirre

1. Reporter:
Ralph Ryan Yparraguirre

2. Post Occupation
 Strong Division between the two parties
 Liberal Democrats
 Progressives/Revisionists

3. Liberal Democrats
 Came into power since 1955
 Conservatives
 progressive
 Free-Trade/Market Competition
 Ideology is vague
 Depends on the politicians viewpoints

4. Progressives/Revisionists
 The opposition party
 Pre-war Marxists
 Complete Break with the past
 Suspicious on the conservatives (LDP)
 Socialism

5. 1957-1960
Prime Minister Kishi
- member of the Tojo wartime cabinet
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
total opposition of the left - “zettai hantai”

6. Present issues
 Low Population Growth
 By 2012, Japan’s Growth rate is 0.08
(CIA World Factbook)
 Earthquake of 2011
 Tsunami, nuclear meltdowns, etc.
 Forced a temporary grand coalition

7.  Political Crisis
 By january of 2012, Japan had seven Prime Ministers
 Agriculture
 Suicide
 30,000 suicides annually for 11 years in a row
 Cause of death to young people ( 20- 49 ).
 5 times more than road accidents

8. Political Philosophy
 Shintoism
 No known date or founder
 Polytheistic animism
 Shrines
 Ritual rather than belief
 Most important elements
 Love and Reverence
 Respect for tradition and family
 Physical cleanliness
 Matsuri ( festivals )

9.  Influenced By:
 Confucianism (5th century A.D.)
 Centralization of power
 Buddhism (552 A.D.)
 Kami as Deva’s
 Buddhist statues were placed on Shinto Shrines

10. Reference
 http://www.philosophybasics.com/general_eastern_ja
panese.html
 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2009/09/20/co
mmentary/now-suicide-has-become-a-political-issue-
how-will-japan-address-it/#.UgkFgaKQb5E
 http://www.religionfacts.com/shinto/index.htm
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/atagla
nce/glance.shtml