ABSTRACT
Introduction Speaking of ‘the common sense of ordinary folk’ on the fiftieth anniversary of the major governing party, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Hidenao Nakagawa (2006), Secretary General of the party, had this to say. The three priorities those ordinary folk have in their daily lives are (1) sustenance of a community, (2) richness of hearts and minds, and (3) responsive and responsible politics on the basis of party manifestos and public opinion. By community he had in mind the traditional virtues of family, neighbourhood community, workplace community and national community. By richness of hearts and minds he had in mind the traditional virtues of tolerance, generosity, thoughtfulness and mindfulness. By responsible politics he had in mind the constructive interactions between ordinary folk and the party of government with regard to the party manifestos promulgated each year and at every election campaign.
