We exist! With the disclaimer that while I am not natively from Japan, I’ve lived here virtually my entire adult life, over 20 years now, and am naturalized. I am involved with local marxist groups.
Interestingly, Marxism had and continues to have immense influence on intellectual traditions here. It really first came to Japan through universities, and a lot of that continues today. At least at the university and graduate level. A lot of the MEGA project work was done out of Japan, surprisingly enough. If the puppet government and the US hadn’t come down hard on post-war communists in Japan (see: Red Purge), I think it is very likely we would be a socialist state today.
There is definitely a lot of resistance towards US influence that has grown in recent years, I won’t say it all comes from socialists as much as it comse from people who have just been disenfranchised with the US. This is especially true, unsurprisingly, in regions that are directly hosting military bases, particularly in Okinawa/Ryukyu. Which is basically double occupied by Japan and the US. Theft, sexual assaults, drunk incidents are all pretty common side effects. A helicopter actually lost pieces of the helicopter while flying over an elementary school not that long ago. These are all things that have a lot of people really fed up. All the hot dog and hamburger “Friendship Days” they host can’t really make up for these things.
A big issue recently is the relocating of a US base closer to residential areas in Okinawa. Okinawa governor Tamaki refused, so Tokyo courts mandated that he had to approve the permits. The deadline came and went and the governor has refused to do so. While the permits did get rammed through eventually (the governor never caved, Tokyo just went over his head) he delayed everything about four years and significantly eroded public trust in Tokyo.
I don’t necessarily think this is a sign of a full decoupling from the US, but it is definitely an element that has significantly impacted the public perception. I think the average person here would still consider the US an ally, but wants to be less reliant on the US economically and militarily.
In my limited interactions with citizens of Japan, it feels like there’s little interest or willingness to express political opinion. Or maybe just not to an outsider like myself. Finding a pulse for “left” politics there has been even harder. Are there any marxist / leftist resources you would recommend to learn about Japan’s internal and geopolitical currents?
If you don’t mind, I have been wondering a few things and your insight would be appreciated:
What would you say the attitude is amongst the public about these military escalations against China?
If the strings were somehow cut with the US tomorrow, do you think Japan would begin to politically reorient itself toward something else? Or is it really too entrenched in the liberal order to change much in the foreseeable future?
Are there sympathetic attitudes toward the people under military occupation in Okinawa and Korea?
You’re not wrong, there is a LOT of political apathy from folks. Especially younger working age people who are just determined to get a job and keep their head down. If you join politically active groups that is obviously not the case, but those can be smaller.
Do you mind if the resources are in Japanese, or is English preferable? I have more of the former, but some of the latter.
I think a lot of people have unfortunately just kind of internalized the “China bad” propaganda, and have definitely internalized the “DPRK evil kidnappers” line. People very strongly do not want to be embroiled in a war and disagree with the leadership’s willingness to basically be a forward operating base for the US. If there is one thing you can usually find widespread support for in Japan (minus the fascists), it is not engaging in overseas military operations.
However, there is a really encouraging silver lining here. While the older generations almost uniformly hate China, the younger generations increasingly say they have a positive view/affinity for China. I think a recent survey had something like 10% of the older generations had a positive view of China, while 40% of younger generations did. Especially among anyone that has traveled there. It’s a trend I hope continues.
Realistically, I think they’d go socdem-liberal honestly, at least right away. If they could start to align more with China that would be great, but there would be some big changes needed internally here for that. For example, recognition of the atrocities comitted by Japan in the past. I think that kind of recognition and apology are possible though, existing political parties already hold that position.
The Red Purges were so effective that there really isn’t much socialist ideology at a national level right now, even in the socialist and communist parties.
Basically, yes. I think a lot of people in the cities don’t think about it, because out-of-sight is out of mind. But if you put the question to them, people at the very least seem to think the bases should be further outside residential areas. Every time the USian forces commit a crime, public sentiment worsens and never really recovers.
We exist! With the disclaimer that while I am not natively from Japan, I’ve lived here virtually my entire adult life, over 20 years now, and am naturalized. I am involved with local marxist groups.
Interestingly, Marxism had and continues to have immense influence on intellectual traditions here. It really first came to Japan through universities, and a lot of that continues today. At least at the university and graduate level. A lot of the MEGA project work was done out of Japan, surprisingly enough. If the puppet government and the US hadn’t come down hard on post-war communists in Japan (see: Red Purge), I think it is very likely we would be a socialist state today.
There is definitely a lot of resistance towards US influence that has grown in recent years, I won’t say it all comes from socialists as much as it comse from people who have just been disenfranchised with the US. This is especially true, unsurprisingly, in regions that are directly hosting military bases, particularly in Okinawa/Ryukyu. Which is basically double occupied by Japan and the US. Theft, sexual assaults, drunk incidents are all pretty common side effects. A helicopter actually lost pieces of the helicopter while flying over an elementary school not that long ago. These are all things that have a lot of people really fed up. All the hot dog and hamburger “Friendship Days” they host can’t really make up for these things.
A big issue recently is the relocating of a US base closer to residential areas in Okinawa. Okinawa governor Tamaki refused, so Tokyo courts mandated that he had to approve the permits. The deadline came and went and the governor has refused to do so. While the permits did get rammed through eventually (the governor never caved, Tokyo just went over his head) he delayed everything about four years and significantly eroded public trust in Tokyo.
I don’t necessarily think this is a sign of a full decoupling from the US, but it is definitely an element that has significantly impacted the public perception. I think the average person here would still consider the US an ally, but wants to be less reliant on the US economically and militarily.
Thanks, that’s very cool to learn.
In my limited interactions with citizens of Japan, it feels like there’s little interest or willingness to express political opinion. Or maybe just not to an outsider like myself. Finding a pulse for “left” politics there has been even harder. Are there any marxist / leftist resources you would recommend to learn about Japan’s internal and geopolitical currents?
If you don’t mind, I have been wondering a few things and your insight would be appreciated:
You’re not wrong, there is a LOT of political apathy from folks. Especially younger working age people who are just determined to get a job and keep their head down. If you join politically active groups that is obviously not the case, but those can be smaller.
Do you mind if the resources are in Japanese, or is English preferable? I have more of the former, but some of the latter.
However, there is a really encouraging silver lining here. While the older generations almost uniformly hate China, the younger generations increasingly say they have a positive view/affinity for China. I think a recent survey had something like 10% of the older generations had a positive view of China, while 40% of younger generations did. Especially among anyone that has traveled there. It’s a trend I hope continues.
The Red Purges were so effective that there really isn’t much socialist ideology at a national level right now, even in the socialist and communist parties.
English is easier for me. Japanese is fine, but I’d need to run it through a translator.