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Regional Inequality in 2014: Urgent Issue, Tepid Election

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Japan Decides 2014

Abstract

In a statement made directly after dissolving the lower house, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged criticisms of “Abenomics” as expanding inequalities between urban and rural areas (Noble, this volume). “Abenomics,” the PM said, “will only be completed when the winds of economic recovery reach the struggling regions.” Referring to a new program of “regional vitalization” (chihō sōsei) aimed to halt rural depopulation and stagnation, Abe promised to bring prosperity into “every bay and harbour” across Japan. The 2014 lower house election campaign thus began with a conscious effort by the ruling party to demonstrate its commitment to Japan’s regions.1

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Authors
  1. Ken V. L. Hijino
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, USA

    Robert J. Pekkanen (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Chuo University, Japan

    Steven R. Reed (Professor of Modern Government, Faculty of Policy Studies) (Professor of Modern Government, Faculty of Policy Studies)

  3. Department of Political Science, University of California, Davis, USA

    Ethan Scheiner (Professor) (Professor)

Copyright information

© 2016 Ken V.L. Hijino

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Hijino, K.V.L. (2016). Regional Inequality in 2014: Urgent Issue, Tepid Election. In: Pekkanen, R.J., Reed, S.R., Scheiner, E. (eds) Japan Decides 2014. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137552006_15

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