A Presidential Prime Minister: Japan’s Direct Election Debate

Abstract

I.   Introduction
II.  Constitutional Issues Associated with Direct Election
III.  The Background of the Direct Election Debate
IV.  Direct Election in Context
1.  Direct Election as a Measure for Reform
2.   The “Presidentialisation” of the Prime Minister
V.  Direct Election and Prime Ministerial Power
VI.  Direct Election and Popular Political Participation
VII.  Risks of Direct Election
VIII.  Conclusion