I think history will look back on the 2020 election and describe it as civil, orderly, and pleasantly unremarkable. They’ll say a handful of moderates were up for the top job, and ultimately a bland, safe choice was made.
It will certainly not be viewed as one of the defining elections of a generation, or even of the decade. I am of course talking about Japan’s 2020 election. The one in the United States will be “Game of Thrones.”
I’m always blown away by how quickly Japan chooses a leader. Back in August, Abe Shinzo was the prime minister of Japan, and there was no indication that he’d be leaving the job any time soon. In the intervening month, Abe announced a health problem, he resigned as prime minister, candidates were rounded up, an election was held, and a new prime minister was installed. All of that happened between Aug. 28 and Sept. 16. Japan does in two…
