The sheer weight of numbers does not necessarily confer legitimacy. In a democracy, a majority holds legitimacy only when it adheres to established procedural forms. Any attempt to exert influence through mere mass while bypassing these forms falls outside the bounds of democracy. A majority that does not conform to these procedures should not be protected under a democratic system; the moment it deviates, it forfeits its legitimacy.
A majority acting outside of established forms does not deserve protection under democracy. Actions taken outside the system are, by definition, anti-social. The reason movements like the Civil Rights Movement or the fight for women’s suffrage gained recognition was that their voices, though initially excluded, were inherently worthy of being embraced within the system. The question we must face is how to open doors to voices outside the system and why such an endeavor is necessary. (To clarify: this series of arguments distinguishes between “voice” and “action.” Misunderstanding this distinction might lead to the erroneous conclusion that any voice outside the system is “anti-social.”)
When a majority that follows the rules cannot be considered unconditionally “right,” it is often because, despite their compliance, they fail to truly reflect the breadth of the majority. Conversely, simply reflecting the opinion of the majority does not always benefit the majority in the end. This is where political judgment becomes essential. The next Prime Minister should be someone possessing the power of persuasion necessary to make such judgments acceptable to the public.
Looking at the current global landscape, Japan is seeing an influx of immigrants from Asia and Africa, as well as foreign capital from China and the West, while remaining heavily dependent on the United States for its security. To maintain its current national structure, Japan must align itself with the democratic bloc. We are now being asked what kind of national structure we desire and what position we intend to take within the international community.
