1. Introduction
When it comes to freedom, the concept can be interpreted differently by different people and societies around the world. What one person may consider freedom, another may not, so it is important to understand how a particular country views and defines this concept before determining if it is indeed a very free country. In this article, we will be examining the issue of whether Japan is a very free country or not. We will look at the political system in Japan, its freedom of expression, religion, press and protest, civil liberties and compare it to other countries.
2. Overview of Japan’s Political System
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government system. The Constitution of Japan was adopted in 1947 and provides for a bicameral legislature called the National Diet which consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. The Prime Minister is appointed by the Emperor from among members of both houses who are approved by both houses and is responsible for most executive functions including foreign policy and defense.
3. Freedom of Expression in Japan
The Japanese Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, expression and all other forms of communication in Article 21 which states that “all people shall have the right to freely express their opinions” as well as “the right to assemble peaceably”. However, there are some restrictions on certain types of expression such as hate speech or speech that incites violence or discrimination against certain groups or individuals.
4. Freedom of Religion in Japan
Religious freedom is also guaranteed under Article 20 which states that “all people shall have the right to religious freedom” and that “no religious organization shall receive any privileges from the State” nor shall any religious organization be subject to special disabilities or restrictions by law. Although there are no official state religions in Japan, Shintoism has been historically favored over other religions such as Buddhism or Christianity due to its close ties with Japanese culture and traditions.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
- Ken Fukuyama, Yuki Fukuyama (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 246 Pages - 10/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Sumiko Uo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 01/01/2005 (Publication Date) - QuickStudy (Publisher)
5. Freedom of Press in Japan
The Japanese Constitution also guarantees freedom of press under Article 22 which states that “all people shall have the right to freely receive information through any means” as well as “the right to freely publish their opinions” without censorship from either public officials or private individuals or organizations. In practice however, there are some restrictions on certain types of content such as material deemed obscene or defamatory towards public figures or institutions which can lead to criminal charges being brought against those responsible for publishing such material if it is deemed illegal under existing laws.
6. Freedom to Protest and Demonstrate in Japan
Article 21 also guarantees citizens the right to peacefully assemble without prior authorization from authorities although demonstrations must be registered with authorities beforehand if they are expected to attract more than 50 participants according to Article 11(3)b-c-d-e-f-g-i-j-k-l-m.Additionally, demonstrations must not interfere with public order nor disrupt public traffic according to Articles 11(3)a & 11(7). Demonstrations must also adhere to rules related noise levels (Article 11(8))and cannot take place within 100 meters near schools (Article 11(9)).
7 Civil Liberties in Japan
The Japanese Constitution also guarantees several civil liberties including rights related privacy (Article 13), equality before law (Article 14),protection from arbitrary arrest (Article 17), rights related marriage (Article 24),protection against discrimination based on race/ethnicity/gender/religion/social status etc.(Article 14). Furthermore, citizens have access to legal representation during criminal proceedings (Articles 32 & 33), protection against double jeopardy (Article 39),access legal remedies for civil disputes (Articles 41 & 42 )and access public education up until high school level free of charge (Article 26).
8 Comparison To Other Countries
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When comparing Japan’s level of freedom with other countries around the world it becomes evident that while many aspects such as freedom expression & religious beliefs are quite similar across countries; some areas like press freedoms vary greatly depending on where you look. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2020 World Press Freedom Index; Japan ranks 59th out 7th out 175 countries surveyed making it one among many countries where press freedoms are respected but not necessarily at highest levels compared with countries like Norway (#1) Finland (#4 )or Sweden (#5 ).
9 Conclusion
In conclusion we can see that while there are certain restrictions on certain forms expression & press freedoms; overall Japan can be considered a very free country when compared with other nations around the world due its strong commitment towards protecting fundamental human rights enshrined within its constitution & laws.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- George Trombley (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 376 Pages - 08/22/2014 (Publication Date) - Learn From Zero (Publisher)
- Ken Fukuyama, Yuki Fukuyama (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 246 Pages - 10/11/2022 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Sumiko Uo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 6 Pages - 01/01/2005 (Publication Date) - QuickStudy (Publisher)
Is Japan considered a free country?
In 2022 Japan was named Freedom of the World by Freedom House an annual survey of political rights and civil liberties around the world.
Is Japan a free country like the United States?
After the tragic experience of the Second World War Japan has become a free and democratic country. Liberal democracy is now firmly established in Japan and the Japanese people enjoy freedom peace and prosperity.
Where does Japan rank in freedom?
Japans economic freedom score is 693 making it the 31st freest economy on the 2023 list. Its score has decreased by 06 points compared to last year. Japan ranks 6th out of 39 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and its overall global and regional score is above average.
Do people in Japan have freedom?
Personal autonomy and individual rights are generally respected property rights. Although the Japanese economy is highly regulated people are free to form private companies. While individual social freedoms are largely protected there are some restrictions.
Japan has no laws preventing discrimination based on race ethnicity religion sexual orientation or gender identity. Japan does not have a domestic human rights institution.
Is Japan friendly with us?
US government officials generally consider Japan to be one of their closest allies and partners.
