Bryn McCarthy

International Relations
Shinzo Abe and the Rise of Nationalism in Modern Japan
No country is still haunted by the events of World War II as much
as Japan. Recently, the Liberal Democratic Party, a Japanese nationalist
group, has been gaining power under the leadership of Shinzo Abe, the
current prime minister of Japan. The LDP hopes to make changes in the
country that will return Japan to the values that it held pre-Western
occupation after World War II. Abe will soon hold an election that acts
as a mandate for his economic policy and is expected to win- some say
not because of support for the plan, but because of the lack of an
opposition (Japans Weak Opposition).
Many expect Abe to gain the mandate because of the lack of
other political choices. The most prominent opposition party is the
Democratic Party of Japan, who held power for three years from 20092012 (ibid). The LDP has held party for the rest of the time since the
1950s. Abes economic plan, often referred to as Abenomics, has
come under fire recently for its regressive tax policies and role in
causing inflation but not raising wages as well (Stevens, Murphy).
Indeed the plan may not be helping Japan as much as originally
thought, because Japan just fell into a technical regression after two
straight quarters of slowed growth. However unpopular Abes economic
plan may be, it is not his most controversial policy by far.

Some have compared the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan to

the United States Tea Party (Kato). Both parties encourage the rise of
nationalistic values, and a return to traditional standards. One of Abes
first reforms was of the education system, where he encouraged the
teaching of love of country (ibid). Many right-wing groups hope to
restore traditional values of Japan, which they feel were stolen during
Western occupation of Japan after World War II (Kato). Abe and rightwing activists have a history of defending Japans actions during World
War II (Japans Unnecessary Nationalism). Abe himself has been
criticized many times for denying Japans use of comfort women after
World War II, and 15 of the 19 members of a group called Nippon
Kaigi, which criticizes the rampant spread of gender-free education
(Kato).
Policy recommendations for the country include a continued
watch on Japanese policy. The United States must be careful of backing
a country with such strongly conservative groups, especially one
considering new military policy like Japan is. True, Japan could be
majorly helpful as a political and economic ally. However, this does not
mean the enabling of possibly anti-US, conservative viewpoints.