1. Governments of Asia 1

2. Standard SS7CG7
The student will demonstrate an understanding of national governments in Southern and Eastern Asia.
Compare and contrast:
the federal republic of the Republic of India,
the communist state of The People’s Republic of China, and
the constitutional monarchy of Japan,
distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting rights and personal freedoms.

3. Copy this in your Notebook Fill in boxes during the presentation
India
China
Japan
Type of Government
Title of Leader
How Leader takes power
Role of Citizen
Important to Know…

4. India – Type of Government
India is a Federal Republic with an elected parliament.
India has 28 states, and 7 union territories.
Although India is a republic, individual states are more tightly controlled by the central government than states in the United States.

5. India – Title of Leader
India’s President is Ms. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. She is the head of state.
India’s Prime Minister is Mr. Manmohan Singh. He is the head of the government and exercises most executive power.

6. India – How the leader takes power
India’s President (head of state) is elected by an electoral college to 5-year term.
The president has all of the powers given by the constitution but is more a figure head.
India’s Prime Minister (exercises executive power) is generally the head of the party that enjoys a majority in the legislative branch.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. The Prime Minister and cabinet make most of the decisions.
The Vice-President is elected by both houses of Parliament.

7. India – Role of Citizen
Indian citizens are encouraged to vote when they are 18.

8. India – The important thing to know about India’s government is…
India and Japan have a parliamentary republic with three branches: legislative, judicial and executive.
The executive and legislative branches work closely together.
There are two executives.

9. China – Type of Government
China is a
Communist state.

10. China – Title of Leader
Although China is called a republic, true power lies with the ruling Communist Party.
China has a President (head of state) and a Premier (head of government).
The President and Vice-President are elected by the National People’s Congress.
The Prime Minister is the head of the ruling party, the Chinese Communist Party.
In China, all power is concentrated in the Paramount Leader, Hu Jintao.
He is the head of all three bodies of government:
Communist Party of China
Central People’s Government (State Council)
People’s Liberation Army

11. China – How the Leader takes power
While there are elections for the National People’s Congress, there is truly only one political party, the Chinese Communist Party.
The State Council, which functions as a cabinet, is appointed by the National People’s Congress.

12. China – Role of Citizen
Individuals do not have the right to vote for their representatives.
The government regulates the press and restricts the freedom of assembly, movement, reproduction (One Child Policy) and religion.
The restrictions are lessening.

13. China – The Important thing to know about China’s government is…
Although there are elections, China is controlled by ONE political party
The Chinese Communist Party.
Increased population means more resources are needed to meet the needs of the growing population.
Due to fears of overpopulation in China, the government has introduced a One Child Policy encouraging families to have only one child. If families have more than one child there are financial penalties.

14. Japan – Type of Government
Japan is a Constitutional Monarchy

15. Japan – Title of Leader Japan has an Emperor and a Prime Minister
Emperor Akihito (head of state) is merely a “symbol
of the state.
Naoto Kan, the Prime Minister (head of government) holds the true executive power along with the Cabinet of Ministers, who are part of the legislative branch of government.

16. Japan – How Leader takes Power
Emperor – The Emperor’s position is inherited.
The Emperor is a symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people.
He is the head of the Japanese Imperial Family and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy.
He is also the highest authority of the Shinto religion.
The Prime Minister is chosen by the Diet (parliament) and the Emperor gives his blessing. The Prime Minister must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office.
The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and appoints and dismisses the Ministers of State.

17. Japan – Role of Citizen
There are universal voting rights for all adult citizens.
Japanese citizens are encouraged to vote when they are 18.

18. Japan – The important thing to know about Japan’s government is…
Japan has a parliament called the Diet and has 3 branches of government.
The executive and legislative branches work closely together. There are two executives.

19. Governments of Asia India China Japan Type of Government
Federal Republic
Communist State
(Fake Republic)
Constitutional Monarchy
Title of Leader
President AND Prime Minister
President, Premier (Prime Minister)
Emperor AND Prime Minister
How Leader takes power
President = elected
Prime Minister = Appointed
Premier (Prime Minister) = head of ruling party
Emperor – Inherited
Prime Minister – chosen by the Diet and emperor gives blessing
Role of Citizen
Vote
No Vote, Restricted freedoms: press, assembly, movement, reproduction, religion
Important to know…
Parliament has 3 branches
ONE political party
One child policy
Diet (Parliament) has 3 branches