Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
13279:[2025 Fall]IR18‐GE201 Japanese Politics (RB) § 13280:IR-FS201 Japanese Politics (RB) § 13281:RUIR-2613 Japanese Politics(RB) 2025 Fall Tue2 College　Of　International　Relations MILNE DANIEL JEROME 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS203

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by September 20.
Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

Politics is not only the world of politicians and elections but also of volunteers, activists, and everyday people seeking to influence and improve public society. Taking this broad definition of politics, this course will examine the historical context and contemporary forces behind major political issues in Japan, and explore their connections to broader domestic and international trends.

In particular, it will explore Japan's constitutional and party politics, the bureaucracy, nationalism, democracy, gender, minorities, and popular culture and seek to deepen students' understanding of Japan's history and present.

Keywords: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), democracy, protest, fascism, nationalism, gender, minorities.

Student Attainment Objectives

Primary Aims:

Taking a broad conception of politics, students will broaden their understanding of the modern political history and contemporary issues of Japan from the 1860s to the early 21st century.

Secondary Aims:

Students will further develop their skills of critical analysis by making sense of the issues through the various conceptual frameworks employed in the module. The teaching methods of the module are designed to develop cognitive, writing and presentation skills, in particular:

• Participation in group discussions
• Researching topics via the creative use of library and internet sources
• Writing scholarly essays
• Academic presentations

Recommended Preparatory Course

N/A

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Class Introduction & Introduction to Japanese Politics

Introduction to course content

2

Bakumatsu and Meiji Periods

Civil conflict, Meiji restoration, Meiji regime

3

Meiji Constitution

Tokugawa regime, Japan's fist constitution, militarism

4

Taisho to 1945
 

Democracy, fascism, international politics, war

5

Constitution and Memory of war and empire

1947 Constitution, War/peace memorials/museums, censorship

6

The Liberal Democratic Party

1955 system, Yoshida Shigeru, Hatoyama Ichiro, election system, constitutional change

7

A Political campaign
 

LPD, campaign politics

8

Opposition Parties and Protest

Socialism, Communism, demonstrations, riots

9

Nationalism

Nationalism, racism, historical revisionism

10

21st Century Politics

Democratic party, Abe, Kishida, present

11

Minorities and gender

Okinawans, Ainu, Buraku, discrimination, women, feminism, LGBTQ

12

Politics in film and music

Soft power, protest, entertainment, popular culture

12-14

Student Presentations, Essay submission, and Feedback

Student Presentations of Essays

Class Format

I will conduct media-based (on demand) class for Lecture 1 (Class Intro) and, in order to make best use of online materials, for Lectures 3, 9, 13. Remaining classes will be conducted face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

Make sure you have some knowledge of the APA style of referencing before the course begins.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

50% One 1,500 word essay
20% In class presentation
30% In class contribution

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

This class will involve a lot of in-class discussion based on readings. Be prepared to both read extensive academic readings each week and to discuss your ideas and knowledge.

The essay will be due in week 13 and must be over 1,500 words. Plagiarised essays and those lacking appropriate academic sources will not be accepted.

In class contribution will be measured by weekly discussion sheets filled out by students based on readings and lectures, and by participation in classroom discussion.

Students will present about their essay topic in the final weeks. Presentations should be prepared and engaging for students and the teacher.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

All essays must be written in the APA style.

Class participation score will take into account the following:

- Answers on weekly discussion sheets
- Classroom discussion
- Attendance in class

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

There is no set textbook for the class. Materials will be given out in class and students will have to conduct their own additional research outside the classroom. Materials will include extracts from primary and secondary sources, images, news and documentary films.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Japanese Political History Since the Meiji Renovation Richard Sims Hurst

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

The essay will likely be less than 1,500 words as it will be written by hand in an in-class exam. Details to be explained in week 1.

Please inform me of any absences due to ill health etc prior to class.

For this and all other communication my email address is as follows:

kyodaidaniel@gmail.com

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