ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the fundamentally weak nature of the power of prime ministers in post-war Japan with a comparative perspective. Based on the most recent developments of prime ministerial leadership theory, it examines the formal powers of the PM in the cabinet, their relationship with the governing party and the Diet, and supporting organisations. This chapter shows that although fundamental constraints on leadership remain, recent evolutions have considerably increased leadership resources, enabling the PM to be much more proactive.
