De impotente oppositie

‘We had socialism in this country but now it has disappeared’ (Minoru Makihara, president of the board of directors at Mitsubishi)

Uitgangspunten

1.5 party constellation: why? Culture: absolute respect for authority Internal conflicts in opposition

Emphasizing the wrong political themes International politics

I. Oppositie door politieke partijen: Continuous struggle within the socialist party

Origin of socialist movement: ideological opposition Left wing vs right wing Meiji revolution or restoration?

Postwar: Cold War origin of further division Division 1950-55 about Anpo 1960 new Anpo: JSP vs DSP

JSP: remote from reality

Lack of constructive opposition US-Japan: militarism; com. Countries peaceful Article 9 only focus No attention for pollution, consumers and

social welfare Changes name in ‘Social Democratic Party of

Japan’ 社会民主党 Doi Takako very popular After 1993 in power under Murayama: major

shift accepts defense forces Accept nuclear power stations

Doi vs Nakasone

Socialism today

6 seats in parliament: reasons for the decline Scandals Alternatives available Lack of pragmatism and identity Coalition with LDP

The Democratic Socialist Party of Japan 民主社会党

Created in 1960, existed up to 1994 For social welfare Self-defense allowed Cooperation with LDP accepted Lack of support by powerful unions

(only by moderate 同盟 ) 7% of electorate

連合 unified moderate unions

Rengo created in 1987 Accepts corporate system Wants dialogue with government

9.3 m members Support for SPJ

1989 contributes to victory 1992 fails to win in elections

Coalition with LDP drives Rengo to DPJ

Lonely Communists

Created in 1922 (oldest party in Japan) Postwar success due to

Support by US Only party opposed to prewar regime Economic and social crisis after 1945

Elections 1949: 10% War in Korea turning point: radicalization

of the party Political isolation = 1955: 2 mp

Communists divided

JCP breaks ties with SU in 1964; in 1966 with China

JCP at end of 1960s chooses for opposition Students choose violent protest and create Red

Army of Japan 1974: JCP declares to abandon wish for

revolution by labor Claimed restitution of Koeril islands JCP strongest at local level (1995 more elected

officials than any other party) Today: JCP tries too hard to adjust: no viable

alternative for protest votes

Komeito: political infiltration by religion?

Link with Soka Gakkai who started poltical activity in 1955

Komeito created in 1964 1970 all links with Soka Gakkai

broken Very loyal electorate of 10% Kanzaki: ‘cooperation with LDP in

the interest of the nation; not a question of for or against LDP’

II. Deel 2: The people’s voice

1967-70: massive protest against Vietnam war and for return Okinawa

Massive mobilization against Iron Triangle and negative results

Minamata Yokkaichi Toyama Niigata

The people’s voice 2

3000 environmental action groups members

School teachers ( 日教組 ) First postwar generation Housewives

Support of Media Local government Opposition courts

Successful civil action in environmental dispute

To avoid political action, government’s action to cope with pollution efficiently Mimaikin 見舞金 Informal mediation Formal mediation Legislation

New environmental problems in 80s less successful Golf-courses, ski-resorts and nuclear power-

stations Dissatisfaction with economic nationalism latent

but decreasing collective action Greenpeace in Japan?

The growth of civil society 市民社会

Shimin as a new concept to balance state (Iron Triangle) Volunteers NGOs Local groups

New law in 1998 to facilitate creation of non profit organizations (received legal status)

However still financial differences with larger semi-official organizations

Government listens to NGOs?