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Nationalism, Domestic Politics, and the Japan Economic Rejuvenation

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Abstract

This article explores the role of nationalism in domestic politics in Japan since 2005 by contrasting the Koizumi and the Abe administration of 2012/2013. It argues that the Koizumi and Abe administrations have exploited nationalism as a means to consolidate political power, move away from faction-based politics toward populism-based politics to weaken factions within the political system with entrenched interests that are counter to or prevent bolder, necessary economic reforms to propel Japan out of 20 years of economic stagnation. Furthermore, this article demonstrates that while each politician has used nationalism to mobilize popular support for their respective administrations, Koizumi’s use of nationalism was to achieve an economic agenda while Abe’s use of nationalism has been used to achieve his political agenda which includes constitutional reform.

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Notes

  1. List of Koizumi Cabinet reforms: (1) Privatization/Regulatory Reform-Maximizing Use of the Private Sector, (2) The “Support Challengers” Program—A Social System That Encourages Individual Ability, (3) Strengthening Welfare and Insurance—Making People Feel Secure and Stable, (4) Doubling Our Knowledge Stock—Human Capital Development Through Individual Choice, (5) Lifestyle Revolution—Creating an Infrastructure That Allows People to Live and Work as They Like, (6) Local Independence and Revitalization—Empowering Local Governments to the Maximum, and (7) Fiscal Reform—Creation of a Simple, Efficient Government Suitable for the 21st Century [21]

  2. According to the survey conducted nationwide by the Asahi Shimbun on September 8 and 9, 2012, the approval rating for Noda’s Cabinet was 25 %, and the disapproval rating was 53 % [36].

  3. Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was a wartime leader who served in the wartime cabinet of General Hideki Tojo. Kishi was imprisoned for 3 years as a suspected Class A war criminal after Japan’s surrender. Abe followed his grandfather’s path to become a post-war-born Japanese Prime Minister. Abe argued not everything Japan had done was wrong and also not everything the Allies did was right. He rejected many aspects of the war crimes trials which sent his grandfather to prison. Abe also stated that since Japan has been a good neighbor and contributor to international peace, there should be no more need for war guilt and Japan should therefore become “normalized” [12, 43].

  4. “Undeniably, this was an act, with the involvement of the military authorities of the day, that severely injured the honor and dignity of many women. The Government of Japan would like to take this opportunity once again to extend its sincere apologies and remorse to all those, irrespective of place of origin, who suffered immeasurable pain and incurable physical and psychological wounds as comfort women.” [45].

  5. “During a certain period in the not-too-distant past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of Asia. In the hope that no such mistake will be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humanity, these irrefutable facts of history and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology” [50].

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Acknowledgments

I would like to express my thanks to my research assistant Ms. Helen Yim Ting Chan for her contributions to the editing of this paper.

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  1. Department of Japanese Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 412, Leung Kau Kui Building, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China

    Stephen Robert Nagy

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Nagy, S.R. Nationalism, Domestic Politics, and the Japan Economic Rejuvenation. East Asia 31, 5–21 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12140-014-9204-4

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