You are wrong. Japan did have extensive democratic experience. It's freely elected prime minister was assassinated (by "right wing" types) in the 20's for appearing to "cave in" to US demands. NO
The Diet and PM were chosen in little more than sham elections controlled by various political factions, the Emperor, the Military, the Zaibatsus.
SO9
Elections that we so "rigged" that a prime minister was assassinated for not agreeing with the military. Ok.