That assumes that the Japanese version of democracy works similar to the ones we live in. Which it doesn't, at all. It's more of an authoritarian system with a friendly, democratic facade put in front when the US pressured Japan to modernize after WW2. A very interesting topic, I've recommended this book on HN before: Karel Van Wolferen - "The Enigma of Japanese power". Basically what we think of the system of modern Japan in the West are carefully doctored fairy-tales and mythology.