The Characteristics of Japanese Democratic Politics from the Perspective of the Second Modernity --An Investigation Centered on Civil Society Participation

Abstract

It is generally known that Japan is faced with such problems as low birthrate and aging population, “MUEN society” phenomenon and economic slowdown caused by “lost 20 years". To deal with the above-mentioned complex and profound social problems under such background of this era, the formulation of political policies and the direction of administrative reforms have a decisive guiding role. With the increasing awareness of national financial crisis and life problems, Japanese have also begun to look forward to political trends. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to explore the development and trend of contemporary Japanese politics from the perspective of the second modernization. The occurrence of a series of social issues such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and other disasters has made people aware of the importance of the third sector organizations. Nowadays is the era of “risk society” defined by U.Beck, it's not only a prominent social issue in disaster, but also an inevitable consequence of modernization. When the government, companies, and family members find it difficult to help, the significance of such organizations like NGOs, NPOs cannot be ignored. At the same time, if the field of democratic politics is to be able to cope with the storm of a “risk society", it needs the joint construction and participation of such “new participants". Therefore, this article will discuss the new trends of Japanese democratic politics in the second modernization process from the third field of participation in social governance.