DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION DIRECTORATE B - POLICY DEPARTMENT - BACKGROUND NOTE ON THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SITUATION OF JAPAN AND EU-JAPAN RELATIONS Abstract: The present note provides an overview of the political and economic situation of Japan at the beginning of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's term of office. It also examines his probable policy choices on economic, fiscal and constitutional issues as well as in foreign policy. Any opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. DGExPo/B/PolDep/Note/2006_ 176 05/10/2006 EN This note was requested by the European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Japan. This paper is published in the following languages: English Author: Stefan Schulz Copies can be obtained through:
[email protected]] Brussels, European Parliament, 5 October 2006. 2 1. POLITICAL SITUATION 1.1. Basic data Population: 127,8 million Ethnic groups: Japanese 99%, others 1% (Korean 511,262, Chinese 244,241, Brazilian 182,232, Filipino 89,851, other 237,914) (year 2000) Religions: Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%) 1.2. Political structure Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. Executive The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is designated by the Diet (parliament) and appoints the cabinet (government). Traditionally, the leader of the majority party or coalition becomes Prime Minister; a change in party leadership thereby signalling a new PM and cabinet. Legislature The Diet consists of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.