Nakasone privatisation-reform LDP (Japan)

Doctrine — stated goals and content

Nakasone privatisation-reform LDP doctrine — Japan's equivalent strand of the 1980s Anglo-American supply-side turn, adapted to convoy capitalism. Economic school: market-liberal managerialism within a developmentalist frame; hawkish on US alliance, privatisation, and administrative reform. Dated policies: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) privatisation (Apr 1985, NTT Corporation Act), Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation (JT) privatisation (Apr 1985), Japanese National Railways (JNR) breakup and privatisation into 7 JR companies (Apr 1987, JNR Reform Law Nov 1986); Plaza Accord 22 Sep 1985 coordinating yen appreciation from ¥240 to ¥150/USD by end-1987; 1984 New Telecommunications Business Law ending NTT monopoly; Maekawa Report Apr 1986 urging domestic-demand-led growth and market opening. Left-right: centre-right market-liberal with nationalist overlay (Yasukuni visit 1985, defence-spending 1% GDP cap debate). Popularity: 1983 general election LDP 45.8% / 250 seats (coalition with NLC needed); double election 6 Jul 1986 LDP 49.4% / 300 seats — largest post-war LDP majority, popular privatisation mandate. Nakasone approval peaked ~60% mid-1986. Coherence: tight — privatisation, administrative reform, market opening, and US-alignment all pointed the same direction, reinforced by Doko Rincho recommendations.