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The Supreme Court and Benign Elite Democracy in Japan

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Constitution of Japan has guided the nation for over fifty years, creating a stable democratic system. Hiroshi Itoh offers a pioneering interpretation of Japanese politics as a 'benign elite democracy' and highlights the Supreme Court's critical role. This book presents the first empirical examination of the Supreme Court's judicial decision-making, focusing on civil rights protection, legal conformity to the Constitution, and the Court's relations with political branches. Itoh's analysis reveals the Court’s key function in adapting constitutional democracy to Japan's evolving political environment.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for scholars, students, and readers interested in Japanese politics, constitutional law, judicial studies, and democratic governance.

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A study of judicial decision making under Japan's Constitution. It examines the Supreme Court's records regarding the protection of civil rights and liberties, the preservation of the conformity of lower levels of laws and regulations to the Constitution, and the maintenance of the Court's relationships to the political branches.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Constitution of Japan has served the country for more than half a century, creating and maintaining a stable and functional democratic system. This book innovatively interprets Japanese politics as a ‘benign elite democracy’ whilst demonstrating the Supreme Court's vital contribution to the political structure.

In The Supreme Court and Benign Elite Democracy in Japan, Hiroshi Itoh presents the first empirical study of judicial decision making under Japan's Constitution. He examines the Supreme Court’s records regarding the protection of civil rights and liberties, the preservation of the conformity of lower levels of laws and regulations to the Constitution, and the maintenance of the Court's relationships to the political branches.

The analysis of these three aspects of constitutional litigation reveals how the Supreme Court contributes to the efficacy of constitutional democracy by keeping the system adaptable to the ever-changing environment in and around Japan.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lawrence W. Beer praises it as a masterful and nuanced study based on exclusive interviews with Supreme Court justices. Itsuo Sonobe, former Supreme Court Justice of Japan, recognises the book as definitive, noting its scholarly and original insights into judicial conservatism and self-restraint sustaining Japan's benign elite governance. Pacific Affairs highlights the valuable understanding offered into justices' attitudes and behaviour within the Japanese Supreme Court.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780754676034

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 July 2010

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Routledge

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 453g

Pages: 360

About the Author

Hiroshi Itoh is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Works he has co-written or co-edited include The Constitutional Case Law of Japan, 1970 through 1990 (University of Washington Press, 1996) and Japan's Public Policy under the Gun of Globalization (Edwin Mellen Press, 2009).

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