※Translated with Notion AI. (Plus version)
The local political landscape in Japan reveals an invisible dimension of power that challenges the political literacy of its citizens.
Governor Saito has achieved an impressive 98% success rate, having fulfilled 171 of his 173 campaign promises within just three years of taking office.
However, the reality remains that there is a lack of mechanisms for adequately monitoring these achievements.
Many municipalities are characterized by long-serving mayors and governors, resulting in a fixation of power that remains unchallenged.
This condition fosters a breeding ground for “vested interests,” and although residents may have opportunities to voice criticism, the actual outcomes remain opaque.
As a Canadian, I am particularly struck by the persistence of such an environment.
(Note: Mr. ACER has published five articles to date, focusing on themes such as the futility of “amakudari” (the practice of retired bureaucrats finding employment in the private sector) and the inefficacy of frequent large-scale personnel changes. For more information, please search the “Author Archive” on the right side of the Serene website.)
Incumbent governors and mayors tend to be re-elected unless problems become glaringly apparent, yet what they have concretely accomplished often remains ambiguous to many residents.
This can be termed “negligence” or “obscurity” in Japan’s local politics.
