JAPAN

Japan's political system has been dominated by a single party since the 1950s. The electoral system gives disproportionate weight to provincial areas, a potential inequity recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

The media is largely independent, although the government does wield informal influence over the semi-public NHK broadcast group, and some media figures have ties to the ruling LDP party.

The country's civil rights record is blemished by slow court proceedings and discrimination against ethnic minorities.

Japan's recovery from economic stagnation is relatively recent. Unemployment rates have stayed at tolerable levels, due more to labor flexibility than to active labor policy.

Governmental economic policies remained problematic, although a 2006 fiscal plan promised a more reliable medium-term framework

The tax system does not generate sufficient public revenue. Government debt is extraordinarily high, and looming demographic challenges will further stress future budgets.

Once considered a model case of equitable growth, Japan has in recent years experienced increasing social disparity.

The country offers acceptable universal health care, but the system is expensive and inefficient.

Gender equity remains a problem. Working mothers receive little support, and fathers receive no paternal leave. Birth rates are low.

A fast-aging population will stress the pension system in coming years.

Japan's constitution forbids the maintenance of military forces. In allying itself with the United States, the government has stretched these constitutional limits.

Relations with neighboring countries, particularly China, South Korea and North Korea, remain problematic.

The country has relied primarily on immigration control policies, rather than true integration programs.

The need for economic stimulus has produced a mixed environmental record. High-tech measures have helped control pollution, but infrastructure construction has harmed conservation efforts.

Japan is one of the world's leaders in R&D, largely due to the contributions of private industry.

Student test scores are outstanding, but a relative lack of science graduates, particularly women, is worrisome.

Long-term central government planning has been hampered by competition among ministries and intervention by the strong ruling party. Public communication is often inconsistent.

The scope of regulatory impact assessment in Japan is quite limited.

Once-close links between the ruling LDP party, business groups and bureaucrats have loosened. Governments do consult other societal groups, but these are often weak.

No government bills were rejected in the period under review, and veto holders play only a minor role.

However, passage of some controversial bills came only after severe political turmoil.

Implementation has been weakened by fiscal decentralization, which left local governments with unfunded mandates.

Japan typically follows the lead of the United States in international affairs, as in the case of military participation in Iraq.

The country's goal of joining the UN Security Council has as yet been unsuccessful.

As a response to persistent criticism of Japan's institutional and organizational mechanisms, the government has implemented an institutional monitoring process.

This is aiming at producing more efficient and transparent government procedures.

With much high-quality media reporting available, Japanese citizens are well informed on government policy.

The legislature uses its available executive oversight mechanisms.

Party programs were introduced only recently, and have decreased in coherence. The influence of the once-powerful business associations has been reduced, but social groups retain some sway.