Strengthening the Legitimacy of Representative Democracy: Public Participation, Bipartisan Floor Bills and Plenary Deliberations in the Japanese Diet

摘要: It is argued that parliamentary legislation in Japan has become the almost exclusive playing field of bureaucracy, who acts on behalf executive, and party councils. Moreover bureaucrats bypass legislative Diet process by making rules themselves. This problematic because it lawmakers are directly held accountable voters for enacted risking to be eventually voted out office. suggested under given circumstances strict discipline, drafting bills bureaucracy endorsement councils, formal majority rule alone not sufficient justify outcomes. The legitimacy factor introduced verify how far individual enabled initiate draft floor themselves, discuss bill contents plenary deliberations get public opinion involved. article attempts demonstrate bipartisan reflect quest equality among across boundaries. more legislators participate discussing a legitimate outcome becomes. paper screens this effect several submitted Japan. Bills such as NPO law, law ratify Rome Statute accession ICC, prevent suicide implement internet filters protect children result cooperation trying constrain interference executive or powerful bureaucracy. participation non-parliamentary agents taking an active part enhanced dynamics representative democracy well. In decades radical ideological confrontation 1950s, 60s, 70s risked instrument coercion. opposition was compelled resort anti-parliamentary obstructionist tactics derail rammed through parliament without deliberation into account concerns viewpoints minority. Obstructionism decreased with LDP co-optation parties government responsibility 1990s. Opposition sake (communists, DPJ until 2006) governing (SDPJ, Komei) have been honored voters. After 2007 started refocus its policies differentiation managed beat 2009 elections. Recently work increasingly put scrutiny international NGOs legislatures abroad. unresolved controversial comfort women issue suggests omission pass appropriate timely reconciliatory can cause serious loss institutional esteem respect.