This research examines the mechanism of political representation in which public opinion is reflected in policy outcomes, using Japanese politics as a case study. In order to capture the dynamics of public opinion, this research adopts the concept of “the policy mood,” especially the mood to introduce relief measures. In the spectrum of moods for relief, four patterns of political representation can be classified: (1) when the mood for relief rises, the government increases compensation (predicted case), (2) when the mood for relief falls, the government decreases compensation (predicted), (3) when the mood for relief rises, the government decreases compensation (opposite), and (4) when the mood for relief falls, the government increases compensation (opposite). By examining specific policies, in opposite cases, government decision-making was influenced by an employers’ association such as the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations. Even during a time when the mood for relief was restrained among the public, the government tried to offer greater compensation due to pressure from the employers’ association. This suggests that government policy making is affected not only by public opinion, but also by other factors relating to powerful elites.