A breakthrough into the political mainstream seems unlikely for Japan's green political parties. Increasing concern about the environment has yet to manifest itself in a fashion similar to the rise of Green parties in Europe. For Japan the welloiled party machines of the established political groupings continue to dominate the social networks that are crucial for electoral success. Lam Peng-Er examines the strengths and organisation of Japan's "greenest" party NET (The Network Movement) as well as the older parties such as the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) and JCP (Japan Communist Party). He looks at the strong grassroots support for the LDP and the ways in which it, and the JCP, are able to undermine NET through the adoption of certain Green policies. The ideology, support and sponsors of NET are also closely analysed, as is the role of women. Green Politics in Japan reveals that urban politics in post-industrial Japan is still dominated by the old parties and the conservative values of hierarchy and deference that bind voters to the likes of the LDP.
Lam Peng-Er demonstrates that until such ties and attitudes change, any green political force in Japan is likely to remain a minor one.