Far-right parties have very little support in Japan. But there are a lot more people, a kind of reserve army, who are vaguely concerned about admitting foreigners. If the government doesn’t put together appropriate policies, that unease will increase.

I’d say that since Japans media and Tv is very xenophobic and inward looking out, most citizens have been brought up to BELIEVE that foreigners are untrustworthy and that goodness and manners and being civil and law abiding have to do with being Japanese. That also can imply that because you are foreign, you just don’t share some of the same traits.

But this group of people should probably decide whether they like the IJA or whether they are against a new law admitting 500,000 foreigners. Which is it guys?

Far-right parties have very little support in Japan.

WHAT????? Japan's only real political party IS a far right party and so are almost all the other parties.

But there are a lot more people, a kind of reserve army, who are vaguely concerned about admitting foreigners.

vaguely concerned?? what a whitewash.

If the government doesn’t put together appropriate policies, that unease will increase.

The government and its xenophobic attitudes alongside the foreign bashing NHK IS the reason for this unease.

Depends if you see far right as a desire to maintain ethnic homogeneity and a very strong culture. If that's the case than Japan certainly fits that bill. We see some Eastern European states leaning this way too.

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. Its up to the majority of Japanese citizens to decide what they want. I don't see why foreign governments, foreign nationals, the U.N etc, should have input on the matter.

If you not attacking another country and minding your own business, which is Japan 2018 than I hardly think you deserve to be equated with Nazi Germany in the 1930's and 40's.

Matt - yes, the far right wishes for an homegenous nation and that may or may not be the best way to go, and citizens will have to decide.

But unfortunately this is only one string of the F.Rs bow.

Creating an atmosphere where press/media freedom of expression is subdued, nationalistic education mores presented, peoples will ignored etc etc, all the while, with a smiling face designed to appease the masses with fake benevolence.

And to cream it all, this current regime never, ever accepts that he has ever made a mistake. It's always the "others" misunderstanding or fault or fake-news spreading. No-one, I repeat No-one can challenge this right wing ideology prevailing at the moment.

Immigration is simply a cover for duplicity.

I don't see anything wrong with it at all.

In the abstract I don't necessarily see it as wrong, though it has its upsides (greater social cohesion, lack of racial tensions/violence seen in some countries, etc) and downsides (insular mindset, lack of beneficial contact and meaningful exchange with other cultures, etc) which are capable of argument either way.

In practice though it also has the obvious effect of kneecapping the country's ability to deal with its demographic crisis, which is something which definitely imposes a cost.

Its up to the majority of Japanese citizens to decide what they want. I don't see why foreign governments, foreign nationals, the U.N etc, should have input on the matter.

I agree that its up to the Japanese public, through their representative institutions, to make these decisions. But why shouldn't foreigners or foreign institutions be able to express opinions about it? This is a question of public policy and evaluating the costs and benefits of a given decision. Some foreigners and international institutions have a great deal of knowledge about questions like this and to the extent that it is useful and informed they absolutely should be making contributions to the debate. Whether the Japanese public or Japanese politicians choose to listen to any of it is of course up to them, but the argument that foreigners should essentially just shut up about simply because they are foreign this is frankly obnoxious.

Matt - yes, the far right wishes for an homegenous nation and that may or may not be the best way to go, and citizens will have to decide.

And that's all I'm saying. It should be a decision of the Japanese people. The only thing I would suggest is that if you are going to make sweeping reforms to immigration, you get the consent of the people through a democratic vote using a referendum or alike.

In the West, the desire for significant immigration is held fairly widely among the population with a sizeable minority against perhaps. Problem is, a mandate was never sought and never given in a great many countries and so the unifying power of a democratic vote on that matter was not necessarily done. That is a mistake.

We have seen with gay marriage for instance a great dealing of shouting from rooftops on both sides of the debate, then there is a vote. That was the case in Australia and now after it was endorsed its virtually a dead issue. That is the power of the referendum. In a democracy, ultimately, people have to accept the will of the majority on these issues. That is how it works.

Of course its up to politicians, economists and others to make the arguments for and against. Its a pity that Japan has left it until a bit of crunch time to conduct that process. Should have kicked that off years ago.

Creating an atmosphere where press/media freedom of expression is subdued, nationalistic education mores presented, peoples will ignored etc etc, all the while, with a smiling face designed to appease the masses with fake benevolence.

But you see its up to the people to look at that and conclude these people are fooling us. These people are not telling the truth. You have a vote and you get rid of them. Japan has had plenty of political parties. There seems to be few obstacles to organizing politically. Its not China. So the opposition needs to get their act together.

 But why shouldn't foreigners or foreign institutions be able to express opinions about it? 

I guess I should be a bit less blunt. Sure, they can have say, provide information and data about their experience, experiences elsewhere around the world. That is all useful. But at the end of the day unless you are a citizen and perhaps permanent reside, you should get no voting rights and no decision making power.

As a white male, I have no issues living in a right-wing country like Japan. Their country, their rules. I can always go home if I don't like it.

The quote sounds fair enough to me. It is important for governments to not let anti-immigrant feeling fester. This can have calamitous results, like Brexit in the UK.

Both sides need to put up or shut up. The people accusing foreigners of ruining Japan need to show actual crime figures, actual figures on health insurance scams (the latest nonsensical accusation), and everything else they accuse immigrants of. They don't do this because there is no foreigner crime wave in Japan. Likewise, people in favour of introducing immigrant workers should do better job of demonstrating the need for them and their economic benefit. Noone does this properly because noone likes bad news and politicians will look weak saying "Vietnamese are just like us, you know". It is easier to sell a patriotic fantasy. Without actual knowledge about immigration, the debate will simply fall back on people's prejudices. History shows that prejudices can do very terrible things.

I disagree strongly that a referendum should be held, because it is clear that they can be distorted. Elections and referenda based on lies with no accountability are won by those who control the media, not the people.

I guess I should be a bit less blunt. Sure, they can have say, provide information and data about their experience, experiences elsewhere around the world. That is all useful. But at the end of the day unless you are a citizen and perhaps permanent reside, you should get no voting rights and no decision making power.

Is that not a straw man argument though? I have never seen anyone seriously arguing that non-Japanese citizens should have voting rights or decision making power over these questions. I think the most extreme proposal along those lines that has ever been floated was to allow permanent residents to vote in local elections, which obviously has nothing to do with immigration.

Unfortunately many countries that have admitted foreigners to work have experienced severe social problems. It doesn't take a genius to have the perspicacity to realise that the same situation could occur in Japan. Then again, some people prefer their own countrymen---it's human nature---"Birds of a feather flock together"

I disagree strongly that a referendum should be held, because it is clear that they can be distorted. Elections and referenda based on lies with no accountability are won by those who control the media, not the people.

If you don't let people vote on it, people opposing it will always turn to that and say you have no mandate. And they are absolutely correct. In a democracy, if you don't get a mandate to do what you are doing, you flying blind, assuming the majority agrees with it. People assumed the majority of Brits agreed that being in the E.U was, at the end of the day, a good idea, despite a lot of misgivings. There was certainly manipulation on both sides. But even taking that into account, clearly a lot of people wanted to leave and held firm views.

You see you either work to improve your democracy by making that debating process, that process of presenting information to the people, better, or you give up on it and just issue a decree by fiat and assume the majority agree.

You think this is smart in a democracy? All it does is serve to undermine democracy and embed divisions. In the end, you end up with an authoritarian government that does what it likes. Whats to stop them? Certainly isn't the will of the people.

As a white male, I have no issues living in a right-wing country like Japan. Their country, their rules. I can always go home if I don't like it.

Absolutely.

You are not a citizen. You can leave any time. You don't necessarily have to put up with the consequences of your decisions for life. Citizens usually do unless they themselves decide to leave.

You do not have enough invested in the decision to have the right to make one.

ever been floated was to allow permanent residents to vote in local elections, which obviously has nothing to do with immigration.

Yeah I'm not sold on the idea of permanent residents voting myself. I suggest it above as possible and would not rule it out, but it concerns me that if you have the nationality of another country then can I trust your intentions? Are you voting for whatever favorable outcome your other country would like to see? Does that conflict for what's best for Japan? Im talking generally.

At the end of the day I think its just best for those permanent residents to wait until they get citizenship.

Although the whole permanent residency/visa's for sale trend really undermines the idea of citizenship anyway. There are growing calls by some to outlaw this trend.

The far right in Japan are not just restricted to domestic bigots. There are those from abroad who are also happy to spread their own poison about and feel quite comfortable here. Until they are targeted themselves by bigots or blamed for any number of society's ills.

It's an old, old story that newcomers will be scapegoated and the far right will find strange bedfellows in their message of hate and discrimination. In any country.

Doesn't mean it has to be accepted and well done to those who stand up to it.

What on earth does ‘vaguely concerned’ mean anyway?

Not holding my breath but it would be nice for the Japanese networks to maybe do a story on the benefits of immigration. It’s not all doom and gloom!

I would be interested to hear how the readers here define "far right". I believe this definition has changed quite a bit since I was young.

I do not see Japan as "far right" and I would find any comparison to Naziism or the National Socialist German Worker's party to be ludicrous.

The government and its xenophobic attitudes alongside the foreign bashing NHK IS the reason for this unease.

I think it would be good to cite specific examples of the above, especially the comment about NHK. I watch NHK nightly and perhaps I am missing something.

Immigration will be an economic necessity in Japan. The government realizes that and has actually come a pretty long way with their proposals (especially there most recent one) to try to make this happen. The "far right wing" of which Eriko Suzuki speaks are such a small minority that they are insignificant.

The far right in Japan are not just restricted to domestic bigots. There are those from abroad who are also happy to spread their own poison about and feel quite comfortable here. Until they are targeted themselves by bigots or blamed for any number of society's ills.

exactly!!

It's an old, old story that newcomers will be scapegoated and the far right will find strange bedfellows in their message of hate and discrimination. In any country.

100% on the money.

Doesn't mean it has to be accepted and well done to those who stand up to it.

That includes you. Thank you for the excellent comment.

rainyday- great comments from you too.

The Far- Right means many things to many people. And it certainly takes on a different face & agenda in accordance with the nuances of a country, it's political / ethnic history and other characteristics.

Japan (we're not talking the 125mill citizens here), but rather the state/powers that be, has a Govt lead by a PM and most of the cabinet ministers and many other politicians who are active members of Nippon - Kaigi. There is no denying NK is far right of center. Simply reading it's published material, listening to it's leaders speeches, watching their gathering and events on video, one can easily ascertain that this is a organization with strong right wing views.

So if the govt is party to such, then the simple equation is, Japan (state) has decidely far right sympathies.

It's certainly not Nazi-ist or Stalinist but it definitely is Nippon Kaigi-ist. And I suspect secretly there are quite a few with similar sympathies. You don't need to scream hatred publicly to be a Right - Winger or any Winger for that matter.

I would be interested to hear how the readers here define "far right". I believe this definition has changed quite a bit since I was young.

Exactly. Not only that, ppl, pollies & media all around the world have very different views on what's 'far right'.

The ultra conservative/protectionist LDP would be categorised as far right in Europe and Canada.

To say that 'far right parties have very little support in Japan' is intellectually dishonest and/or pretty naive.

@browny - Thank you for your reply and actually providing a reply. Again however, I am curious what is considered to be "far right"?

Is Japan Right of center? Yes I certainly believe so.

Is Japan Far Right? I do not think so

I am quite aware of Nippon Kaigi and I have definite issues with some of their objectives. They have 6 official goals some of which I do take issue with.

Belief in tradition and sovereignty*

I would have no problem with that official objective

A new Constitution - I agree Japan should write its own Constitution. I think it should include a referendum or vote of the Japanese population. *

Why should Japan not be able to write its own Constitution?

Paraphrased "Politics that protect the state's reputation and people's lives"*

I strongly disagree with Nippon Kaigi on this issue "protection of the state's reputation". This can have dangerous consequences

Paraphrased "Creating education that fosters a sense of Japanese identity"

In this case their stated objectives as written are benign. However I think we all understand the issues related to revisionism.

"Contributing to world peace by strengthening national security" - This is related to increasing Japan's defense and memorializing war dead.

No one can deny China is expanding their military at an extreme pace. No one can deny China's expansionist policies and issues related to human rights in China. Is it "far right" for Japan to have concerns about this and want to increase their ability to defend themselves?

"Friendship with the world tied together by a spirit of co-existence and mutual prosperity"

No one can disagree with this.

@Goldorak - I have lived in Japan for over 20 years and have met numerous people through business and personally. I do not consider the majority of Japanese to be far right and I am certainly not naive on this issue.

Would you consider Europe and Canada to be Far Left? I am genuinely curious about this.

@Tokyo-engr, the point I was trying to make is that left, right, centre etc mean different things for different ppl/countries.

I think the LDP has more in common with European far right parties than it has with euro right. The 'virtual' centre of politics is more to the left in Europe or Canada than it is in Japan or other nations such as the us or oz.

@Goldorak...understand...

To have a discussion of what is "Far right" I think a definition needs to be established. Unfortunately this is quite a subjective term and with most things (more these days it seems) emotions take hold rather than trying to objectively (if possible in this case) discuss issues.

Far right is a pretty strong term (at least from where I come and probably due to my age) so from my perspective Japan does not fall into the category of being far right. This may be due to my age, where I was brought up, or the fact that things were not so polarized when I was being brought up and when I was younger.

Aly Rustom

The LDP is not far right. You are completely wrong

LOL Matt Hartwel!

Man listen up, well thought out articulated opinions are not welcome here! People just want their version of whats right instilled on everyone else regardless of race, time, or place.

No Matt immigration without integration is totally fine because my favorite celebrity says so!

Far-right parties have very little support in Japan

Tamogami polled 610,865 votes in the 2014 Tokyo gubernatorial election. That's 12.39%. Hardly very little.

Unfortunately many countries that have admitted foreigners to work have experienced severe social problems.

More like countries without sensible immigration policies have experienced severe problems. Well managed immigration is a benefit on the whole.

I’ve heard many Japanese commenting on Western Europe and seeing that as an example of what not to do. Some of my coworkers are fearful of traveling to Europe on business. An overreaction for sure, but the problems of Western Europe has made many around the world fearful of immigration.

A real pity.

Far right parties in Japan may have little support, but they seem to have a lot of influence.

That is because if the fear factor which they create.

Sadly, Japanese law has no mechanism to keep the far right under control. Lets face it, what normal, advanced countries would allow sound trucks, and men dressing up in old imperial army uniforms outsde a shrine?

Japanese law is inept, as is Japans bureaucracy, so yes, that unease will increase.

Aly Rustom

> The LDP is not far right. You are completely wrong

Yes they are. It is you that is completely wrong.

Perhaps you don’t know the definition of the term “far right”.

Japan is way more nationalist than most western countries in many ways and I get that, but the term far right isn’t correct and it doesn’t really matter whether you or a bunch of other people who come from elsewhere think if you twist the definition of the word or bend it to suit what you understand.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_DemocraticParty(Japan)

Thats a definition of their party. It’s not my definition either. I don’t like them, and their ideals and wouldn’t vote for them but I know that they aren’t far right.

tokyo-engr - thanks for yor reply.

As I mentioned earlier, far right means different things to different people - that's a given.

I said I believed the govt was far right because from the top down, it is enmeshed with the Nippon Kaigi - a far right organization. It's not my opinion that has decided NK as far right. Many learned observers think so.

Your argument that NK may or may not be far right is based on a simple cherry picking of a few blurbs.

For example - "Friendship with the world tied together by a spirit of co-existence and mutual prosperity", sounds like a sound bite from a dated Miss Universe quest.

If you investigate a little more deeply you may find a far from benign organization / system in operation, that espouses an ideology that most neutral critics would associate as far right.

So by association (incestuous as it is) the govt (not Japan) deserves any attention that casts it in the same light.

Perhaps you don’t know the definition of the term “far right”.

Don't assume.

Japan is way more nationalist than most western countries in many ways and I get that,

do you?

but the term far right isn’t correct

That's ridiculous. No one can be nationalist without being far right.

and it doesn’t really matter whether you or a bunch of other people who come from elsewhere think

I won't dignify that with an answer.

if you twist the definition of the word or bend it to suit what you understand.

Hilarious! You admit to them being nationalist and yet somehow try to claim that they are not far right. You are the one twisting the definition of the word by claiming that they can be nationalist without being far right, Its ridiculous.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_DemocraticParty(Japan)

Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and many present and former LDP ministers are also known members of Nippon Kaigi, a monarchist and negationist organization.[16]

Even the link you provided clearly states that MANY of them are Nippon Kaigi! Your own link disproves your point!!

Thats a definition of their party.

Here's a better one.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-east-asian-studies/article/electoral-origin-of-japans-nationalistic-leadership-primaries-in-the-ldp-presidential-election-and-the-pull-effect/4C7A362F623344E294171C055F87E0CA

I don’t like them, and their ideals and wouldn’t vote for them but I know that they aren’t far right.

Then why are you defending them??

In addition to that, in your very first post YOU said-

I’d say that since Japans media and Tv is very xenophobic and inward looking out, most citizens have been brought up to BELIEVE that foreigners are untrustworthy and that goodness and manners and being civil and law abiding have to do with being Japanese.

Well, if you admit that Japans media and Tv is very xenophobic how can you not say the same thing about the LDP-considering that they are in bed with the media?? And if you didn't know THAT, then you have alot to learn about Japan. Everyone knows all TOO well about the close ties the media has with the ruling party. Then you in your first post admit that the media and TV is "very xenophobic" and then turn around and say the LDP ISN'T??

Come on...

browny1

you are 100% correct. Here is some more information on Nippon Kaigi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdZNCzZcQck

Its a hour and 40 minute lecture on who they are and what they believe by a man (Tamotsu Sugano) who wrote a book about them at the foreign correspondence club

Here is Tadae Takubo the Chairman of Nippon Kaigi also at the foreign correspondence club. (this one is shorter at 1 hour and 8 minutes long.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quERM58TlxM

About 3 hours worth of information about the group. very informative stuff. after that, people can make up their own minds about them

I don’t think the definition of ‘far right’ and what that means in different political cultures is so important here. The issue is immigration.

You could argue pro-immigration Abe is to the ‘left’ of a large section of the electorate, not all like the nutters marching through Ginza, on the issue of immigration.

I just think if we dealt with issues on their own merits rather than trying to swallow packages whole and neatly place ideas into certain camps, we might have more useful dialogues.

Aly rustom

I love this bit....

You can’t fathom why I don’t like the LDP, but also can’t say they are far right?

Dude, I don’t just make up stuff to suit my opinion. Even if I screamed that the LDP is a far right group, which I can, I’m a citizen....it wouldn’t be correct.

Ive lived all over the world and have seen far right groups. I’m also well aware that democracy has always had left and right even centuries ago as one is better in times of war and peace. It’s human nature. Peace out.

You can’t fathom why I don’t like the LDP, but also can’t say they are far right?

No I didn't say that. What I said was

No one can be nationalist without being far right.

I can't fathom how someone can say that a group is nationalist without being far right. Dont put words in my mouth.

Even if I screamed that the LDP is a far right group, which I can, I’m a citizen....

you don't have to be a citizen to be able to say that a certain political party is far right.

it wouldn’t be correct.

The overwhelming majority of them are alligned to nippon kaigi. That makes them far right.

Ive lived all over the world and have seen far right groups.

As have I. Believe me.

I’m also well aware that democracy has always had left and right even centuries ago as one is better in times of war and peace. It’s human nature.

Good. Let us end on this postive note since we finally found something to agree on.

Peace out.

Peace out to you too sir.

Actually you can probably be nationalist without being far right. Everyone including you Aly would become more right in your politics during times of conflict.

The overwhelming majority of the LDP are Nippon Kaigai members to you. Well I dont know where you got that info, but theres little doubt in my mind that nationalism after centuries of British imperialism and conquest and threat of slavery that nationalism is an outdated yet also, quite human reaction to conflict.

I just hope for more peace then we can do away with it.

Actually you can probably be nationalist without being far right.

No you can't. You are confusing PATRIOTISM with NATIONALISM.

Everyone including you Aly would become more right in your politics during times of conflict.

Again, that's patriotism not nationalism. And your above argument would hold some water IF and ONLY IF Japan was in "times of conflict." It isn't. So your above argument is moot. Japan is not in times of conflict.

The overwhelming majority of the LDP are Nippon Kaigai members to you. Well I dont know where you got that info,

Here you are:

Nippon Kaigi claims 35,000 individual members, 47 prefectural chapters, and about 230 local chapters.[18] The organization's website lists the members depending on their seniority in the organization headed by a President seconded by Vice Presidents and a pool of "advisors", including Shinto priests leading key shrines, some of them belonging to the Imperial family.

Following the 2014 reshuffle, 15 of the 18 of Third Abe Cabinet members, including the Prime Minister himself (as 'special adviser'), were members of Nippon Kaigi.[19] As of October 2014, the group claimed 289 of the 480 Japanese National Diet members. Among the members, former members, and affiliated are countless lawmakers, many ministers and a few prime ministers including Tarō Asō and Shinzō Abe. Abe's brother Nobuo Kishi is also a member of the Nippon Kaigi group in the Diet.[19] Its former chairman, Toru Miyoshi, was the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan.[3]

After campaigning actively for LDP candidates in July 2016, Nippon Kaigi campaigned for constitutional revisionism in September 2016.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Kaigi

If you want to see DETAILS here is the link: (just so that there is no mistake)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_Nippon_Kaigi

The list of ministers and Prime ministers are almost EXCLUSIVELY LDP.

Far-right parties have very little support in Japan.

That is a sugar-coated misnomer, pure and simple!

If Japan was not under the watchful eye of the UN and US, they would have become (again) an overtly fascist, or similar, state by now - just as they were in the past. Even now, Japan is something else (I don't know what to call it) that is dressed in a democracy's clothing. It's NOT a democracy.

It always amazes me how the Japanese themselves habitually turn a blind eye to foreigners that are marginalized and denigrated in the community. I worked hard to challenge any and all negative attitudes toward Japanese (there were scant few in comparison) when I lived in 'my country'. I saw to it that foreigners were treated fairly and equally.

Here, foreigners have no one standing up for them - dudes can drive through cities in vans with huge loudspeakers blaring hate speech FFS. Shops can say 'no foreigners'. People can make remarks with no recourse. The reaction..? The general public tacitly condones it.

Aly - well posted.

As you stated, most people confuse patriotism & nationalism. Being a nationalist means being decidedly right.

And I'm still amazed that a number of people on this forum and many in general have zilch of a clue about Nippon Kaigi. There's no 2 ways about it. NK is very right wing.

Hopefully your data will enable some to understand the extent of their influence on modern politics in Japan esp that of the ldp. They make the Tea Party look very respectable.

thepersoni - what on earth do you mean by your last comments?

Confusing to say the least.

I thought you may have wanted to discuss Aly's answer to your Nippon Kaigi comment. More value in learned discussion than throw aways.

The more you try to reason, the more they just go into their shell...

Browny

I just don’t see the point sometimes.

If his nation had been invaded he would be patriotic NOT nationalist! You know what I mean? What’s the point in more discussion?

what on earth do you mean by your last comments?

That’s what I was wondering

Confusing to say the least.

Exactly

I thought you may have wanted to discuss Aly's answer to your Nippon Kaigi comment. More value in learned discussion than throw aways.

Some people are not interested in learning anything. Just arguing

You know what guys, I’m not actually this rude and I apologize. I am opinionated and I don’t like to get on sides but rather try to educate myself and see what’s happening instead of arguing what is good or bad.

But on the internet arguments become very barbed and pointed and I don’t respect the other as I would if they were in front of me. I also just do it in a second when I’m in an elevator or something as I’m so busy.

Have a good weekend.