Author: Ryokichi Hirono, Seikei University

Aurelia George Mulgan’s recent contribution here repeats much discussion in Japan about the DPJ’s failure to gain a majority in the recent House of Councillors (HOC) elections. But what are the facts and how really should they be interpreted?

First, on a combined SEP and NT basis, DPJ won the largest number of votes, followed by LDP, Mina, Komei, CPJ, SDP, Reform, TN, NNP and Kofuku. Read more…

Author: Ryokichi Hirono, Seikei University

When I heard about the Stern Hu story a few months ago, it reminded me of three salient cases of similar interventionist policy in Australia and Japan, as well as in the United States in the 1960s.

Before the 1960s, when the Australian Government did not allow the export of Australian coal, iron ore and other mineral resources to Japan, despite rising demand during Japan’s rapid industrialisation, those with a firm belief in the critical importance of free trade for continuing world economic growth protested together with Australian mining companies to change the official export-ban policy. Eventually, those protesting against the ban were successful.

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