Shin Kanemaru and the tragedy of Japan's political system

Shin Kanemaru (1914-1996) served as a key power broker at the national level in Japan from the 1970s until the early 1990s. He was at the heart of the '1955 system' of conservative political rule. Though never Prime Minister himself, he controlled or strongly influenced the administrations of five Japanese Prime Ministers. Despite the formal appearance of a competitive, working democracy, Japanese politics in reality is dominated by money, informal connections, and collusive practices. The promise of democracy championed by the American Occupation (1945-1952) has been undermined by the informal apparatus of rule by 'fixers' and power brokers. This book is about one of these 'stage managers, ' Shin Kanemaru, who played a central role in Japanese politics from the 1970s until the early 1990s. Working behind the scenes, Kanemaru controlled or strongly influenced the administrations of five Japanese Prime Ministers from Nakasone to Miyazawa. Kanemaru's political career exemplifies what can be called the tragedy of Japanese democracy: ostensibly democratic and competitive, but in reality a system based on influence, bribery, collusion, and personal connections. Kanemaru skilfully exploited the weaknesses of this system to enrich himself and his cronies, and in the process discredited the authenticity of Japan's 'democracy' in the eyes of its citizens Front Matter....Pages i-xii The Young Kanemaru (1918–1958): Early Life and Career in Yamanashi Prefecture....Pages 1-13 Kanemaru as a Member of the National Diet (1958–1972)....Pages 14-33 Kanemaru as Cabinet Minister (1972–1978)....Pages 34-49 LDP Work Horse (1978–1986)....Pages 50-60 Stage Manager of Japan’s “Bubble Economy” Political World (1986–1989)....Pages 61-72 The King without a Crown (1989–1992)....Pages 73-84 Cracks Appear in Kanemaru’s “Power Base”: Yamanashi Prefecture in 1991....Pages 85-91 Skewered in Public, Humiliated Behind Bars (1992–1993): The Kingmaker Falls from Grace and Serves a Symbolic Penance....Pages 92-103 The Kanemaru Legacy....Pages 104-112 Back Matter....Pages 113-123