Photo/Illutration A person votes on Nov. 9 at the Avon Town Hall in Avon, Colorado. (AP)

“Bei-O Kairan Jikki” (“The Iwakura Embassy, 1871-1873: A True Account of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary’s Journey of Observation through the United States and Europe”) contains the following observation on American democracy: “Unaware of (their democracy’s) intrinsic flaws, Americans single-mindedly love its merits and want to propagate this idealistic system around the world.”

It appears Japan’s young leaders of the early Meiji Era (1868-1912) found it difficult to relate to Americans’ feelings about democracy.

“Their view can never be swayed,” the writer noted, apparently even mystified by Americans’ unshakable sense of self-worth.

The midterm elections in the United States were held on Nov. 8. The ideals of American democracy, as seen by the Iwakura Mission, are now being shaken by a deep social divide.

The United States today is effectively polarized into “blue states” and “red states.” The midterms signified more than just a verdict on the administration of President Joe Biden. The outcome calls for scrutiny as it may well impact democracies around the world.

Former President Donald Trump was undeniably a force behind the scenes. His devoted followers are still a legion, as are people who utterly detest him. I was surprised anew by the enormity of his presence as a symbol of divisiveness.

Historically, American society has repeatedly faced a crisis of division.

More than a decade before the Iwakura Mission’s visit to the United States, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th president of the United States, called for national unity in his 1858 speech against slavery: “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.”

Nothing less than democracy’s powerful resilience mended the rift and ended each crisis.

Will the same resilience be brought to bear in the days ahead? With great unease, I wonder where America is going.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 10

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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