Essay On Comparing Japan And France

It is commonly argued that power is a hunger that man ever seeks to satisfy. As such, man can engage in a lot of activities all of which are aimed at making sure that he has the control. This is where the issue of government and presidency arises from. However, there are some differences among nations with reference to the leadership roles. Such is a case of Japan and France. Japan’s highest office id the Prime Minister’s while in France, the President seems to take the highest responsibility. To a great extent, the powers of the two seem to be quite similar. For instance, they can appoint and dismiss all ministers except in the case of France where the Resident can appoint the prime minister but cannot dismiss him. They are also the leaders of the cabinets and other councils of administration. However, there are also some differences which make the two offices differ significantly. These are as indicated in the paragraphs below.
The main differences arise in the kinds of power that the two authorities have. According to Author (nd), the French president enjoys more powers than any other president in a democratic nation. Besides the fact that he is the leader of the government, he can nominate all the ministers and also dismiss them. Of course, this is with the exception of the prime minister. Furthermore, the president can organize laws or other referendums and also laws on the constitutional changes. One of the greatest powers that he has is the mandate to appoint three out of the nine members of the Constitutional Council. Of these is the president of the council, which implies that the president gets the privilege to appoint the strongest pillar of the council. His power is further seen in the fact that the President can impose his will on the ministers, especially when he enjoys a majority in the government. Control of the defense and foreign policy are also in the president’s docket. These are immense powers that the president has. They make him such a strong figure that his presence commands much respect and acknowledgement from the people.
Another difference arises in the manner in which the president and the Prime Minister are accountable to the executive bodies of government in their respective countries. Author (nd) indicates that the French President enjoy total immunity. He cannot be forced to appear as a witness in any case and neither can he be prosecuted. The parliament practically has no power over the president, though it can pass a bill to remove him from power. However, this is quiet a thin line. As such, it appears as if the president is not answerable to anyone. He only has to be accountable to the electorate, and this comes after five years when the president has to seek a second term. Such immense powers and protection from the law makes the president such a strong figure.
The same does not count for the Japanese Prime minister. According to Author (nd), the prime minister has to be accountable to both houses. As such, he is required by law to deliver reports to the Diet on matters pertaining to the foreign affairs as well as the domestic issues. This, therefore, implies that he has to be very careful and cautious with every decision being made as this can bring him under fire hen reporting. Furthermore, he also has to submit a report to the Diet and offer explanations when the Diet calls upon him to do so. This, according to Author (nd), is one of the greatest control valves on the powers of the Japanese Prime Minister. He has to be very keen since every action taken has to be accounted for.
The nature of the powers makes the difference in the extent to which the two imperials can exercise their powers on the government and executive arm. First of all, it is very clear that the French President is above the law and can make all the decisions without fear of accountability. However this is not the same for the Japanese Prime Minister. He is bound by law to make presentations to the Diet on the state of affairs in the domestic and the international affairs. This acts as a way to make him more accountable. Furthermore, he can be held accountable by the Diet on any issues that he handles. Based on these differences, it is very clear that the two are different. While the French president enjoys protection from the law, the Japanese prime minister is kept under control. Therefore, it is very clear as to why the French president can impose his will on the governance, while the Japanese prime minister has to do everything by the book. It is all in the control of powers that is enacted by the laws.
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