[interview] Structure of "Routine Organizing" Apparent in Yokohama Mayoral Election

Hiroshi Nakada: Mayor of Yokohama City

Hiroshi Nakada was born in 1964 and graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Aoyama Gakuin University,entered the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management in 1989, before becoming involved in the launching of the Japan New Party. He was elected in the House of Representatives for the first time in 1993, after serving as a secretary for House of Councilors and Head of the News Office of the Party. He ran as an independent in the 2002 Yokohama mayoral election, was elected, and assumed the position of the Mayor on April 8. His major published works include Kokkai no Okite (Commandments in the Diet) and Gyokaku no Recipe ; Nihon no Ryouri Hou NZ Fuu (Recipe for Administration Reform ; How to Cook Japan NZ Style).

Interviewer:

Yasunori Sone, Professor of Political Science at Keio University Graduate School of Media and Governance

Yasunori Sone was born in 1948. He is a Professor of Political Science and Governance at Keio University. His publications include "Ketteino Seiji Keizaigaku"(The Political Economy of Decision-making) and the co-edited volume "Political Dynamics in Contemporary Japan"(Cornell University Press). BA, MA from Keio University. Visiting fellowships were at Yale University(1974-76), The Australian National University(1983-4), The University of Essex(1984), and Harvard University(1998-99).

In the latest Yokohama mayoral election, the incumbent candidate, who had joint support from the three ruling parties and the Social Democratic Party, lost against the independent candidate. Mr. Takahide's backbone was organized support from companies, labor unions and political parties, while individuals with their own motives supported Mr. Nakata. The race between these saw a result of "the power of unprompted citizens" winning over the structure of "routine organizing." It can be suggested through this result that there are institutional differences between national government and municipalities, which form a "double standard."
While ruling and opposing parties are inevitably generated in the national political scene, the election of mayors or members of assembly in municipalities is rather similar to a presidential election. Because the parties fail to present clear alternatives to the voters in these elections, the number of non-affiliates increase, which makes the raison d'etre of the parties itself unclear. Problems such as the same person being reelected many times or a candidate winning joint support from multiple parties, which are unrelated to the discussions involving policies or commitments, can also be analyzed in the same way. It is not because of a problem of the party political system, but because politicians and political parties do not fulfill their roles, that voters supported Mr. Nakata, who "became non-affiliated as a result."

On the other hand, in the national political scene, they point out that the Democratic Party, which constitutes the same political group in the Diet, basically lacks the inveterate urge for power that can be seen in those who do hold and try to maintain power. Sticking to the attitude of proposing policies that do not cater to the LDP's current state may lead to a chance to gain the public's understanding. Also, in terms of holding the reigns of government, it is necessary to smoothly encompass the conservatives whs have doubts about the framework of the Liberal Democratic Party. They claim that the opposing parties need toughness, such as in supporting Prime Minister Koizumi, who enjoys considerable popularity among public, rather than pulling him down, in order to deconstruct the LDP completely. The old-fashioned customs of the long reign of the LDP since the postwar era are especially deep-seated in the rural areas. There are even opposing party members who enjoy benefit together under the LDP mechanism. Both Mr. Sone and Mr. Nakata insist that from now on "it is necessary to deconstruct not only the LDP but also the mechanisms and cultures of the LDP."