Democracy is built on the participation of citizens, who are sovereign. It is important for each of us to think and act as a member of society.
Basic Knowledge
Ways to participate in politics:
・Voting in elections
・Right of petition (Article 16 of the Constitution): the right to submit requests to the national or local government
・Referendums: residents directly decide important matters of local government
・Public comments: expressing opinions on policy proposals
・NPO and volunteer activities
・Sharing opinions on social media and participating in demonstrations and rallies
After the voting age was lowered from 20 to 18 in 2016, civic education has spread in schools. Activities include mock elections, dialogue with politicians, and Newspaper in Education (NIE).
Civil society: the area of voluntary activities by citizens that is neither government nor business. NPOs, NGOs, and volunteer organizations play a major role.
Civic education (education that develops the knowledge and attitudes needed as participants in democracy)
Right of petition (Article 16 of the Constitution; the right to convey requests to the national or local government)
Referendum (a system in which residents directly decide important matters of local government)
Public comment (a system through which citizens submit opinions on policy proposals)
NPO (Non-Profit Organization; the NPO Act was enacted in 1998)
Civil society (the area of society supported by voluntary activities of citizens)
Further Study (Background and Significance)
Political apathy and low voter turnout among young people are serious problems. In the 2021 House of Representatives election, voter turnout among people in their 20s was about 36%, half the 71% among people in their 60s. Low turnout strengthens the tendency toward silver democracy, in which policies for young people are put off.
Civic education aims to develop the ability to think of politics as personally relevant in response to these issues. It is practiced through school-rule reform projects, proposals addressing local issues, and mock assemblies.
Political participation is not limited to elections. Signing petitions, sharing opinions on social media, participating in NPOs, volunteering, speaking to people in town, and talking with one's family can all help change society.
- Voting age: 18 and over (2016 revision)
- Right of petition = Article 16 of the Constitution
- Referendum = residents decide important matters of local government
- Public comment = opinions on policy proposals
- NPO Act: 1998
- Silver democracy = excessive emphasis on policies for older people
- Civic education makes politics personally relevant
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Distinguish the right of petition (Article 16 of the Constitution) from the right to participate in politics (Article 15). ② NPOs (domestic and nonprofit) and NGOs (working internationally) are sometimes distinguished, but there is no clear dividing line. ③ A referendum generally has no legal binding force and serves as a reference opinion. ④ Political participation is not limited to elections.
Practice
- Which article of the Constitution establishes the right of petition?
- In what year was the NPO Act enacted?
- What is the phenomenon called in which policies for older people receive excessive emphasis?