Episode Details

Japan’s once-invincible ruling party is suddenly looking old, awkward, and out of touch. In this episode, we examine the mounting troubles of the Liberal Democratic Party, which has dominated Japanese politics for decades but now faces scandals, internal fractures, and a growing inability to connect with younger voters—even as it fumbles onto TikTok. With its parliamentary majority weakened and more agile opposition parties gaining ground through clearer messages and smarter use of social media, Japan is entering a more competitive and unpredictable political era. Does this signal the long-overdue renewal of Japanese democracy—or the start of chronic instability and gridlock after decades of one-party rule?

https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/07/14/japans-politics-is-entering-a-messy-new-era