ABSTRACT
Personalisation of politics is defined as the salience of factors that emphasise individuals rather than organisations primarily in the context of national politics. In the context of subnational politics, individuals often play an important part as the size of political units is not very large. In the context of national politics, individuals normally operate in institutions and thus the salience of factors that stress individuals is not normally exceedingly high. The personalisation of politics I deal with in this chapter is in the national context in Japan at the dawn of this century. Its key features can be summarised as follows:
increasing attention given by citizens to personal appeals and styles of political leaders;
gradual decomposition of interest organisations and associations and other nationally organised groups into fragmented and loosely organised individuals; and
advances of digital and televised communications and interactions in politics.
In what follows, I first explain what came before personalisation of politics, namely the nationalisation of politics. This enables readers to comprehend the large trends of politics which unfolded in the previous centuries and this. Second, I turn to the personalisation of politics in the Japanese context focusing on prime minister Junichiro Koizumi (2001–2006). Third, I examine the personal power of the leader inside the party. Fourth, I examine the external power of the leader. Lastly, I make concluding remarks.