MOBILIZING ELECTORAL SUPPORT: A STUDY OF A LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATE’S CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES IN THE 1967 LOWER HOUSE ELECTION IN JAPAN.

Abstract

This study examines the strategies of support mobilization utilized by a candidate for election to the Lower House of the Japanese Diet in the election held in January 1967. The candidate, Sato Bunsei, ran as a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from the Second District of Oita Prefecture in Kyushu. The study is based on material gathered by the author over a period of fifteen months of living in the home of the candidate and observing the-campaign. The study deals with the following major issues: the process of receiving LDP endorsement as an official Party candidate; the differing structures of campaign organization in rural and urban sectors of the constituency; the organization and function of a Koenkai, a supporters organization;the role played in Sato's campaign by interest groups and other voluntary associations; and the conduct of both the unofficial and official campaign. The general conceptual framework for this study is as follows. In every system of representative democracy