So you've been elected
So you've been elected
Congratulations. Here is how things are done in my home city of Tsukuba (your city may vary but I’m thinking the basics will be the same).A few days after the election there was a 10 minute ceremony for all winning candidates to receive our certificates of election. About two weeks before the beginning of the first session an explanatory meeting (説明会) was held for new members. The Council Office (議会事務局) staff distributed info packets consisting of a council rulebook, the previous year's spending report, the present budget, and other data. Included were booklets explaining the long term goals and plans of the city. Various department heads (部長), then gave a briefing regarding their bailiwick.
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Read the rules so you know
how to cheat properly |
The staff followed up with a run-down on our duties, rules of conduct, the council rules regarding the general question period (一般質問), individual bill debate rules, and other general rules and regulations. I did my best to understand, but it took a couple of sessions before I managed to obtain a real grasp.
Before the beginning of my first council session I needed to decide on a faction (会派). The Kaiha registration is done during the first few days of the first session and again every 2 years. In my first term I chose to form my own Kaiha of one. Unbeknownst to me, this decision forced me to attend all the various background meetings - meetings about meetings. Most of those meetings are just dickering about rules, who will be appointed on various committees, and deciding on which day to have a meeting.
Personally, I am glad I did not join a Kaiha in my first term. On the one hand, it was tough, jumping straight into the deep end while also learning the ropes of the job. Conversely, it helped me understand quicker just what was going on. Forming my own Kaiha also established my independence. Without question there would have been advantages to joining a larger Kaiha right away. But then I wouldn’t have learned about the inner workings of council. I also think there was a certain caché in showing dedication to the job.
In the 2nd and 3rd terms I chose to join increasingly larger Kaiha. Joining a large Kaiha has the definite advantage of being introduced to increasingly important people in the community as well as the political world.
First Session
The very first session after an election is somewhat unique vs other sessions. A photo was taken for use on the city home page as well as council newsletters. We all received a cool little badge for our lapels, were assigned a parking space, and everyone was measured for uniforms to be used during emergencies (natural disasters, etc.). The first meeting of a new term also had a short explanatory session. A few more rules and regs were discussed as well as announcements. |
| Tsukuba City Council Chambers |
The biennial chamber elections are a bit of drama because there are always a few older members who have been waiting for their turn. Some have been waiting longer than others so there is always a certain amount of disappointment when expectations aren’t met. The chairperson doesn’t have much power so the election and position is 95% prestige but does come with a nice 30% salary boost.
Council members are divided up into equal groups to serve on one of the four main committees. In Tsukuba they are: General Affairs (総務); Health, Welfare, and Education (文教福祉), Construction (都市建設), and Economy and Environment (経済環境).
After the committee memberships were decided members broke into their respective committees to elect a deputy and a chairperson. Once the session was resumed, the committee chair/deputy chairpersons were announced and we were done for the day. In principle the chairmanship of a committee is also just a position of honour without any real executive power. In essence it's just an image issue. First and second term councilors often find themselves appointed to be deputy or chairperson, whereas veterans do not.
Time for work (all the rest of the sessions)
There are quarterly council meetings in March, June, September, and November, the most important being the March session when the annual budget is tabled.Before every session even begins I need to decide if I will ask any questions of the administration during the Ippan-shitsumon. Questions must first be registered about one week before the first day of session. I must indicate which division my questions pertain to and then list my queries. Within a day or two I will have a hearing with the relevant division heads (課長) where we will discuss my issues in depth. In principle I have come to understand that no matter how logical a request, the administration will reject it out of hand. If, however, the idea is solid, the civil service (公務員) will spend some time investigating my request and perhaps implement it. In my first few years I felt rather dejected because my ideas never seemed to get any traction. Later I came to understand the way the Kōmu-in operate. Their strategy is: it’s better to promise nothing and grant requests later. As I saw some of my better ideas implemented I felt somewhat more confident the administration was indeed listening.
The first day of every session is usually quite short. The mayor gives a speech outlining the goings on since the last session. If there have been any interim committee sessions, the relevant chairperson will give a report to catch everyone up. The mayor then introduces the bills (議案) to be discussed, taking anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Unless there there is some special issue to be discussed, we’re wrapping things up in less than an hour. Whew! That was exhausting…
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| Gian |
Around a week later the Ippan-shitsumon will begin. Members will go in order of submission. Each councillor uses their opportunity to propose policy ideas or grill the various Buchōs regarding whatever bee has gotten under their bonnet. Since any given idea will have already been dissected at the hearing, questions and answers are more choreography than discussion. Our councillors are given 30 minutes of speaking time, regardless of how long the Buchōs’ answers are. Ippan generally takes about 2.5 ~ 3 days of 10 AM to 5 PM.
After the last councillor has asked their questions the council is then given a chance to ask clarification questions (疑問) pertaining to the session’s tabled bills before consideration of the committees. As most bills are rather uncontroversial, the gimon period is usually less than 30 minutes.
Committee meetings are attended by the appointed councillors as well as the Buchōs under their purview. A large number of Kachō also attend and answer most of the councillors queries at a more detailed level than a Buchō may know themselves. Each bill must be passed by a committee before it can be considered by the main body. Most bills are quite innocuous so if there is any discussion at all it's usually just to confirm a minor point like why one contractor was hired over another. Most bills in committee are passed unanimously with no discussion. It is not uncommon for a committee to finish in 90 minutes or so, with the exception of Health, Welfare and Education, which can last up to two full days.
On the very last day of session, usually about 3 or 4 days after the committee meetings, the house will decide the fate of all the bills which made it through committee. A lot of the bills are general purchases like fire trucks, infrastructure, and land. There will also be some bills regarding regulations and fee increases for services. A majority of the bills just need formal approval.
Every now and again something controversial will come along. It's with these bills I take the most care. Controversial bills become apparent because I am approached by various fellow councillors to probe my thinking. Spending 10 or 20 minutes discussing what the policy effects may be is a useful exercise, even if I already have an opinion. I make sure to talk to the opposition if it looks like the vote will be close. I also use some shoe leather and see what my supporters have to say.
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| One session's pile |
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| Seigan |
The administration will often add a few bills on the last day of session. These are mostly appointments to various positions. In principle there is no need to send such bills to any committee so they are deliberately withheld until the last day. I have yet to see any appointment opposed so are all usually passed without a vote.
If there are any opinion documents (意見書), these are considered next. They are not bills so they fall into the miscellaneous category and generally usually don’t get anyone particularly incensed.
Every now and again the house votes to create various special committees (特別委員会). These committees consider peripheral activities like citizen safety, council rules, sports interests, or investigations in to bad behavior by someone in council or the administration.
Once I vote, I forget about it. My co-councillors are unlikely to ever bring my decision up again. First, what would be the point? It's done and can't be redone. Second, I am only one of a group who voted for or against. At worst I have misunderstood what was being discussed. What is the excuse of the other councillors who voted the same as me? If I’ve done my legwork, I feel fairly confident and move on. None of my co-councillors hold it against me. After being in the game for a while we just look to the next decision where former opponents are suddenly on our side. The saying, “Politics makes for strange bedfellows,” makes sense.
After the final agenda item the mayor gives a speech, usually spent thanking the councillors for their efforts as well as a few comments regarding the administration’s vision for the future. The council chairperson will then wrap up the session and I am done until the next session 3 months and a bit later.
We usually have a social gathering of Buchos and councillors later that evening. It’s a semi-formal chance for us all to get to know each other and swap a few lies.
There are usually official meetings outside of sessions for special committees or discussions about a trending topic. We are usually given a few weeks notice.
Session and official meetings are what councillors get paid for and require our attendance. That said, it is not uncommon for a councilor to miss a day or two in a session for health or personal reasons. As long as it’s not habitual no one seems to get incensed.
Public Ceremonies
I attend a variety of voluntary events over the course of a year.Coming of Age Ceremony (成人式) January
Adulting - The ceremony honouring the city’s youth who will turn 20 in the coming year is usually the first event of the year.
Format: all the new (or soon to be) adults gather in a hall for a formal greeting by the mayor and other dignitaries. The event consists of a bunch of speeches the kids really aren't interested in and usually takes about an hour.
My input: after my name is called I shout out a greeting/congratulations. Firefighters New Years Event (消防団出初式) January
- Format: the volunteer and professional firefighters from the city gather at a large hall. The mayor and other dignitaries will give a New Year's greeting and congratulate the firefighters for their service. There are also a series of presentations for outstanding service, 5, 10, 15, and more years of service, awards for performance contests at the city, prefecture and country level, and awards for kids from Gr. 1 ~ 9 for inspirational posters or safety programs. The speeches and awards are followed by a traditional firefighters acrobatic performance with ladders and poles.
My input: after my name is called I shout out a New Year’s greeting. Bring in the New Year Party (新春賀詞交歓会) January
- Format: a semi-formal gathering of the city’s business and academic elites for a lunchtime meet and greet.
My input: after my name is called I shout out a New Year’s greeting. Memorial Service for the War Fallen (戦没者追悼式) October
- Format: families members lost in the various wars will be honoured through speeches by the mayor and a few other dignitaries. The complete waste and purposelessness of war is lamented. Since the last major war ended in 1945, the audience members are mostly brothers, sisters, and wives of the fallen, all very elderly and some sons and daughters already at retirement age.
My input: after my name is called I lay a chrysanthemum on a large table on the stage.
School Events
Graduation Ceremony (卒業式) March
Grad - Format: I attend graduation ceremonies at both a public elementary and junior high school. The kids are awarded their graduation certificate followed by speeches. The students also sing a few songs.
My input: after my name is called I shout out a greeting/congratulations. School Entrance Ceremony (入学式) April
- Format: the kids names are announced and speeches delivered by various dignitaries. The students are also presented with some gifts from the city. The students also sing a few songs. As with graduation, I attend the entrance ceremonies of both a public elementary and junior high.
My input: after my name is called I shout out a greeting/congratulations. Sports Festival (運動会)
- Format: the elementary and junior high schools hold a sports festival. The time of year can vary. As an honoured guest, I get a chair under a tent with a great view of the grounds and a cold drink service. The kids will participate in a variety of competitions.
My Input: after my name is called I shout out encouragement.
City Council Events
Study Meetings (勉強会)
- Every 18 ~ 24 months I am required to attend a study meeting. The general format is 3 ~ 6 councillors from each of the neighbouring towns and cities head to some location in our prefecture to listen to a speech from some person who either tries to give advice and insight into our job, or talks a lot of blather. The real point of the exercise, from my cynical experience, is not the speech, it's the dinner after. The dinner seating is set up so attendees are at a table with councillors from other towns and cities. The idea is to give us a chance to meet up with our counterparts from other towns and cities to further cooperation and perhaps exchange ideas on how the individual cities are dealing with similar problems.
Sports
- Format: In southern Ibaraki we have three tournaments: golf (spring), baseball (summer), and bowling (fall). Like the benkyō-kai, the various council sporting events are another chance to meet our counterparts from other towns and cities.
My input: I try to play in all the tournaments. It is more about participation than winning. Study Tours (視察)
Lecture - Format: committees as well as the different Kaiha will travel around the country to investigate how other cities manage their programs. The construction committee will stick to topics related to development, land management or something similar. A core committee shisatsu is usually 3 days and 2 nights, often stopping in 2 or 3 different cities to hear lectures from the relevant administrators. Each lecture is about 1 ~ 2 hours long, depending if there is an on-site tour. The more peripheral committees may have an overnight stay or could just consist of a day trip.
The Kaiha, on the other hand, are free to investigate whatever they like. In Tsukuba each Kaiha is allotted ¥30,000 per month per councillor to be used for their political development activities. The funds can be used to publish and distribute newsletters, buy books related to governing, and travel for study.
My Input: there is no obligation to attend any of the tours, whether committee or Kaiha related. However, I average around 4 tours a year. I have mixed feelings on the efficacy of the tours, but I find them enjoyable in that I have managed to learn a lot more about Japan. Since we spend several days with our fellow councillors I try my best to snoop out just what makes them tick, why they got into politics and what they hope to achieve. I also have a chance to explain the similarities and differences in how things are run in the various countries I’ve lived. And, if I happen to have a pet project, it is a good chance to pitch my idea.
There are many more formal and less formal events during the year. I am sometimes asked to give speeches at Rotary meetings or various universities, judge speech contests, attend local entrepreneurial group events and the inevitable rounds of bōnenkai. Some events are just one-offs, some happen regularly. I expect to get invited to many functions but understand they are only inviting me because of my status. I don’t have to attend each and every event. My thinking is: once elected, it’s best to show up at as many functions as I can. I’ll have time to relax when I’m retired.
Cogitations
On the recommendation of a friend upon getting elected I watched the BBC series, “Yes, Minister,” and “Yes, Prime Minister.” I would recommend anyone seriously considering getting into politics, in any country, do the same. The show itself is hilarious, as BBC comedies often are, but also insightful.I’ve learned over my career the general population’s ideas as to how things really are in politics is mostly misguided or misinformed. The media and education system have done a poor job of educating the public. Whether the media themselves don’t understand the reality or they are wilfully misleading the public is up for debate. Schools don’t have an excuse. The public seems to believe that politicians are the ones who run the country, region or municipality. They believe their representatives make policy and supervise the civil servants in the implementation of their grand schemes.
Whatever you’ve been told, the government is not made up of politicians. It consists of many levels of Kōmu-in. They run the show and make most of the day-to-day decisions. They write the bills and guide them through council and eventually implement new policy. Komu-in may not have much individual decision-making power, what with all the guidelines and regulations, but as a whole, they are incredibly powerful. Again, Kōmu-in are the government. Don’t believe anyone who tells you different.
There are some political leaders who do have a certain amount of oomph in that they have the political capital to move the the dial in one direction or another on specific topics. They tend to be the mayors, governors, and cabinet ministers. Their juice comes from their control of delegating power (appointments). Pushing the Kōmu-in in a direction they don’t already want to go is possible, but dangerous to one’s career. Piss off the civil service and just watch how fast they can make a politician’s life miserable. “Oh, so sorry the 6 AM flight was the only one we could book so please be at the pickup point at 3:30 tomorrow morning.” A case study of how to irritate the Komu-in and the results is Tanaka Makiko.
As for us lowly council members, we seldom write up policy or are given consideration during implementation. Should a council member introduce a seigan (petition) for the council to consider and the council pass it, in the end it is the civil service who must put the idea into practice as they understand it. And there is the rub. As clear as the instructions may be in a seigan, misinterpretation, or even wilful ignoring of requirements is strictly at the discretion of the individual or group of Kōmu-in assigned to enact it.
That many citizens see the council as a rubber stamp is not without reason. Most votes are, in fact, just a formality. Unless someone can think of a reason why a town/city shouldn't buy a new fire truck, such purchase requests are going to pass. That is to say, most bills are indeed no-brainers. However, we do on occasion exercise our right to shoot down any lead balloons in our sights. As representatives of the people, it is our job to look after the interests of our voters. As it turns out, protecting the voters actually means not allowing the administration to implement bad policy. We are the last line of defence between bad government policy and the people.
Unfortunately, as far as the media is concerned, politicians are the instigators and perpetrators of policies. Indeed, on social media, we are the source of all that’s gone wrong in society - leeches that need to be excoriated for incompetence; we are like diapers that need to be changed, and for the same reason. That may be true in some countries, but at least in Japan, such ire is misplaced.
I received the most votes in two of my three city elections. One would have thought that placing well in the elections would give some gravitas to my policy requests. But one would be wrong. If I have any power at present it is because I supported our present mayor in the last election. Having supported opposing candidates twice did not win me any points with the previous mayor. But now that my mayor of choice is in office I’m finding my requests are given a more serious hearing.
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| When politics goes wrong… |
In closing, those of you who have also made the effort to read my post regarding running for office, I hope you feel enabled and encouraged to get involved yourselves. It not my goal to cajole you in a direction you don’t want to go but I hope you at least feel prepared should you decide to take up the baton.
