Shinoda provides an analytical framework for examining the role
of the prime minister in Japan's political decision making. He
shows that two dimensions of fraction within the government and the
ruling party--interagency rivalry and intraparty factions--confront
the prime minister whenever a major policy issue needs to be
resolved. Despite these obstacles, Shinoda shows that the prime
minister can be effective.
First, Shinoda identifies the sources of power available to
Japanese prime ministers--some from legal authorities and others
from informal sources. Because prime ministers must rely on
informal sources of power to effectively utilize institutional
sources of power, their effectiveness varies depending on their
background, experience, political skills, and personality. Shinoda
identifies six major informal sources of power: power base within
the ruling party, control over the bureaucracy, ties with the
opposition parties, public support, business support, and
international reputation. The national leader's leadership style
can be defined depending on which sources of power they utilize in
the policy process. He presents both successful and unsuccessful
case studies--Hashimoto's administrative reform, Takeshita's tax
reform, and Nakasone's administrative reform-- illustrate how
different prime ministers have succeeded or failed in applying
their political resources. After examining these three case
studies, Shinoda uncovers four types of leadership among Japanese
prime ministers. A major analytical resource for scholars and
students of Japanese politics and political economy and comparative
politics.
General
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