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4 - The LDP under Abe

from Part II - Political Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2021

By
Yukio Maeda  and
Steven R. Reed
Edited by
Takeo Hoshi  and
Phillip Y. Lipscy
Takeo Hoshi
Affiliation:
University of Tokyo
Phillip Y. Lipscy
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

Since 2012, Shinzo Abe has become the most successful prime minister in LDP history. This chapter analyzes the secrets to his success. We find first that Abe did not win by increasing the LDP vote nor by proposing popular policies. The main reason for Abe’s success is opposition fragmentation. The failure of the DPJ during its three-year stint in power meant that the LDP was virtually guaranteed to win the 2012 election under any circumstance. He also employed legislative and media strategies that minimized the presence of his adversaries in news reporting. It was difficult for people to evaluate Abe critically, as dissent against him was tactically silenced. Abe maintained high cabinet support, but the main reason given for that support is the absence of an alternative. All of this suggests that the LDP predominance established by Abe will be harder for this successors to maintain.

Keywords

Japanese politicsShinzo AbeLiberal Democratic Party (LDP)cabinet supportpredominant partymedia strategy
Type
Chapter
Information
The Political Economy of the Abe Government and Abenomics Reforms , pp. 87 - 108
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

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