Nippon Kaigi: The Powerful Right-Wing Nationalist Lobby
JAPAN POLITICS
The roots of NK also intertwine with earlier nationalist religious groups like Seicho-no-Ie, founded in the 1930s as an anti-communist, emperor-venerating movement, and the Association of Shinto Shrines in the early 20th century. Nihon o Mamoru Kokumin Kyogikai stemmed from the Gengo Horitsu Jitsugen Kokumin Kaigi [National Council for Institutionalizing the Era Name System], established in 1978 to advocate for the Era Name Law, while Nihon o Mamoru Kai, formed in 1974, united Shinto and Buddhist factions in conservative political pursuits.
These precursor organizations shared a common goal of venerating the emperor, instilling patriotic education, and advocating for a return to pre-war nationalist values. This shared vision culminated in the formation of the NK lobby, which continues to exert considerable influence in contemporary Japanese politics.
What is NK
Since its inception, NK has been relentless in its mission to advocate for the revision of Japan's pacifist constitution and the promotion of patriotic revisionism rooted in prewar nationalist concepts like *kokutai glorifying the emperor's supremacy.
One of the organization's pivotal objectives revolves around the revision of Article 9 of the constitution, which renounces war - a condition imposed after Japan's WWII surrender and the subsequent U.S. Occupation under General MacArthur aimed at removing influences that fueled wars of aggression and instilling democratic, pacifist values. This stance has sparked contentious debates and drawn both praise and criticism from various segments of society.
Moreover, NK has actively pursued a range of initiatives aligned with its nationalist agenda, drawing from prewar "radical Shinto ultranationalism" ideology that viewed Japanese as a divine ethnic group destined for global imperial rule under the divine emperor.
Key thinkers like Hozumi Yatsuka and Uesugi Shinkichi developed reactionary theories sanctifying this kokutai national essence. Notably, NK has campaigned for the denial of wartime atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, sought to elevate the status of the emperor as a central figure in Japanese identity based on treatises like *Kokutai no Hongi glorifying racial superiority, and advocated for the bolstering of Japan's military capabilities and reinstating State Shinto as the national religion. These policies have not only shaped domestic policies but have also influenced Japan's international relations, particularly in the context of regional security dynamics.
Organizational Structure and Membership:
Building upon its ideological advocacy, NK's organizational structure and membership composition further illustrate the depth of its influence within Japanese society.NK operates within a well-defined hierarchical structure, comprising key figures who play pivotal roles in driving its agenda forward. Despite its relatively modest membership numbers, estimated at around 38,000 to 40,000 as of 2020, the organization's recruitment strategies have enabled it to attract individuals from influential sectors such as academia, business, and politics. This eclectic mix of members underscores NK's broad-based support and its ability to mobilise resources effectively in pursuit of its goals.
The organization wields significant influence in Japan's legislative body, boasting approximately 250 Diet members out of a total of 712 across both houses affiliated with NK. Predominantly, these members hail from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), actively championing NK's nationalist agenda and shaping policies accordingly. Notably, NK's reach extends beyond the LDP, encompassing members from both Nippon Ishin and the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). However, precise current figures are elusive, with most data stemming from 2016. According to Wikipedia data as of March 2024, there were 198 Diet members affiliated with NK, comprising 185 from the LDP, 7 from Nippon Ishin, and 2 from the CDP, with an additional 4 independents. It's worth noting that acquiring up-to-date comprehensive lists proves challenging, and the figures on Wikipedia lack references.
Furthermore, NK has established a robust organizational network, with headquarters in all 47 prefectures and 241 local branches spread across various municipalities. The organization operates efficiently through related entities such as the NK Kokkai Giin Kondankai (NK Diet Members' Discussion Group) of which three past and the current prime ministers belong to, the NK Chihō Giin Renmei (NK Local Government Members' Association), the Kōshitsu no Dentō o Mamoru Kokumin no Kai (Association of Citizens Protecting the Traditions of the Imperial Family), the Utsukushii Nihon no Kenpō o Tsukuru Kokumin no Kai (Association of Citizens Creating a Beautiful Constitution for Japan), and the Nihon Josei no Kai (Japan Women's Association). These affiliated groups further extend NK's reach and influence, bolstering its capacity to advance its conservative agenda across different spheres of society, under the leadership of the recently deceased chairman, Tadae Takubo.
Strategies and Tactics:
NK employs a multifaceted approach to advance its nationalist agenda. By leveraging its political connections and influence, NK has been able to exert significant sway over policy making processes and shape the national agenda toward its ambitions of reviving reverence for the imperial household as the core of Japan.
NK strategically employs methods honed from past successes, particularly in campaigns against textbooks and gender equality, to advance its constitutional amendment agenda. Through initiatives like its past "Beautiful Japan's Constitutional Reform National Campaign," it aimed to collect millions of signatures supporting abolishing the U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution. The movement for constitutional reform enabling full military capabilities has gained momentum, with numerous local governments passing resolutions after the formation of the Abe government aligned with NK's goals.
Influence and Opposition:
While NK has undeniably made strides in advancing its nationalist agenda rooted in prewar ideologies glorifying the imperial tradition, its influence is not without controversy and opposition. Critics have raised concerns about the organization's revisionist stance denying historical events, its propagation of exclusionary nationalist narratives emphasizing racial superiority, and its potential to undermine Japan's postwar democratic principles and individual rights. By propagating an insular, xenophobic nationalist narrative incompatible with modern democratic norms, NK ultimately aims to resurrect an anachronistic notion of racial supremacy reminiscent of the same feudal power structures that once brutally oppressed the Japanese citizenry.
Despite its significant influence, NK faces opposition from segments wary of a return to the excesses of pre-WWII nationalist and remilitarization that initially misled Japan into wars of aggression. However, NK's efforts to reshape historical narratives denying wrongdoings, promote traditional values, and foster indoctrination of youth have resonated with certain segments amid events like the 1995 Aum attacks and Kobe earthquake that shook national confidence after the aging war generation's passing.
One indication that NK’s influence may be waning is that in Google searches in both English and Japanese show the number of relevant articles from the last three or four years to be less than the period before that, but regardless, current articles and books are still written on the topic including the most recent 2024 book by Thierry Guthmann, Nippon Kaigi: Political Nationalism in Contemporary Japan.
Conclusion
NK's ascendancy within Japan's political landscape has profound implications for the nation's trajectory and identity. As the organization continues to champion its nationalist agenda rooted in prewar imperial ideologies, it faces both opportunities amidst concerns over threats from China and North Korea, as well as challenges from opposition skeptical of its revisionist aims that potentially contradict core democratic values and human welfare.
Looking ahead, the future trajectory of NK will be shaped by its ability to navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics, engage with diverse stakeholders, and adapt to evolving societal expectations. While the organization claims to promote Japan's prosperity and prestige, its pursuit of restoring past glory through an insular worldview and curbing of civil liberties may achieve contrary results, undermining the nation's reputation and national unity.
Ultimately, as Japan grapples with defining its role in an increasingly uncertain world, the actions and influence of NK will undoubtedly be central to shaping the nation's path forward. Whether it can reconcile the contradictions within its stances and ideological foundations or returns to the prewar radical ultranationalism that initially misled the country will have far-reaching ramifications for Japan's position both domestically and on the global stage.
However, NK's ability to advance its agenda is magnified by its significant representation within Japan's major political parties, particularly the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and the absence of a robust left-wing counterbalance in the country's political landscape. With around 185 out of 375 LDP members affiliated with Nippon Kaigi, along with members from other parties like Nippon Ishin and the Constitutional Democratic Party, the organization wields disproportionate influence within the political establishment despite its modest public membership of 30,000 to 40,000.
Moreover, the weakness of organised labour movements and the lack of a committed left-wing force, as exemplified by the Japanese Communist Party's shift away from its traditional ideological roots, leaves NK's conservative and nationalist agenda facing limited organised opposition. This void in the political arena effectively grants the organization a more prominent voice and greater ability to shape policies and narratives aligned with its revisionist goals, such as constitutional reform and the promotion of traditional values.
As Japan navigates its future trajectory, the extent to which NK's influence is tempered or amplified by shifts in public opinion, generational changes in leadership, and external pressures from international partners will be crucial in determining the organization's long-term impact on the nation's democratic institutions, civil liberties, and regional relations.
Nippon Kaigi (NK) holds significant sway within Japan's political sphere, playing a pivotal role in shaping national discourse and policy decisions. Established in 1997 through the amalgamation of two existing right-wing entities, Nihon o Mamoru Kokumin Kyogikai [National Council to Protect Japan's People] and Nihon o Mamoru Kai [Association to Protect Japan], its ideological foundation can be traced back to the conservative student movements of the 1960s, which emerged in reaction to prevalent left-wing activism.
Groups like the Nagasaki Daigaku Gakusei Kyogikai [Nagasaki University Student Council], founded in 1967 under the leadership of Yūzō Kabishima, stood against leftist student organizations such as the Zen'gakuren [All-Campus Joint Struggle Councils], laying the groundwork for NK's nationalist ideology.
Source Articles:
PM Kishida of Japan and Moonies: Nippon Kaigi
Modern Tokyo Times, 13 August 2022Japan's conservative Nippon Kaigi lobby: Worth worrying about?
Asia Times, 19 July 2016The Power of Nippon Kaigi
Asia Policy Point, 21 January 2017「日本会議」の実態に迫る 信仰を超え改憲へ一丸 (Approaching the reality of the 'Nippon Kaigi': beyond faith, united for constitutional change)
Tokyo Shimbun, 26 April 2016)What is the aim of Nippon Kaigi. Japan's ultra-right Organisation that supports Japan's Abe Administration?
Nippon Kaigi: The ultra-nationalistic group trying to restore the might of the Japanese Empire
Australia Broadcasting Corporation, 2 Dec 2015As I See It: Nippon Kaigi and the debate over constitutional revision
Mainichi Japan, 17 December 2016Right side up: A powerful if little-reported group claims it can restore the pre-war order
The Economist, 4 June 2015Nippon Kaigi: Empire, Contradiction, and Japan’s FutureThe Asia-Pacific Journal, 1 November 2016
The Other Japan: Back to Japan’s Religious Roots for a New Japanese Nationalism?
Journal of Right-Wing Studies, 4 July 2023
