POG 240 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, Bicameralism, Constitution Of Japan

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Politics and Public Administration
• Course: POG 240
• Professor: franciswiafe-amoako

Document Summary

Third largest economy (. 8 t) in the world, and longest-lived democracy and wealthiest country in east asia. Economy: slow since 1990 [asian financial crisis in 1997; global financial crisis, 2008- Government: postwar constitution of 1947, parliamentary, bicameral, unitary state (constitutional monarchy) Bicameral national diet (elected every 4 years): house of rep; house of councillors; both must pass a bill in similar form to become law. House of rep: 480 members- 300 through smd and 180 through pr; chooses the prime. House of councillors: 242 members- 149 by sntv and 96 by pr; lower house must accommodate. Upper house opinions in other legislations unless 2/3s majority veto. Divided into 47 prefectures also divided into cities. They elect their own governor and unicameral legislature for a 4-year term; basically for administrative purposes. Though some political power is allocated to the prefectures, the central government wields much more power. Domestic politics have great influence on national politics.