Whether democracy has a future in Japan is an important question. Miki discusses the American occupation of Japan and the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Japan. A popular Japanese novelist observed, "The ‘occupation‘ that was the hardest to bear was the entrenchment of the Japanese military itself." In regard to the LDP, rarely has a single political force gained complete dominance; an American specialist on Japan has described it as a pluralistic hegemony. The LDP has pursued a national policy of economic growth, and has been skillful in coopting ideas and programs proposed by opposition parties. Japan‘s postwar economic growth in has broadened the base of effective participation in the democratic process. The institutions of political democracy in Japan have proved to be mature and resilient under stress. Miki wants to focus on creating a new brand of conservatism. He discusses Japan‘s problems and observes that democracy does not solve all problems.