36-491: 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Nippon Kaigi ( 日本会議 , lit. ' Japan Conference ' ) is Japan's largest ultraconservative and ultranationalist far-right non-governmental organisation and lobbying group. It was established in 1997 and has approximately 38,000 to 40,000 members as of 2020. The group has significant influence in Japanese politics. In October 2014, 289 of
72-717: A "masochistic view of history". The Hankyoreh , a liberal newspaper in South Korea, denounced right-wing nationalism led by Shinzo Abe and Nippon Kaigi as " anti-Korean nationalism " in its English column. Gabriel Rodriguez, in Jacobin , an American left-wing magazine, wrote the LDP and Nippon Kaigi carry the legacy of Japanese fascism . Ultraconservatism Ultraconservatism refers to extreme conservative views in politics or religious practice. In modern politics, ultraconservative usually refers to conservatives of
108-623: A baton called shaku and a wand decorated with white paper streamers ( shide ) called ōnusa . To become a kannushi , a novice must study at a university approved by the Association of Shinto Shrines ( 神社本庁 , Jinja Honchō ) , typically Tokyo 's Kokugakuin University or Ise 's Kogakkan University , or pass an exam that will certify his qualification. Women can also become kannushi , and widows can succeed their husbands in their job. An Onshi or Oshi (御師)
144-575: A danger to the Republican Party", as it was "moving the party farther to the right ... [which] would transform the Republican Party into a fringe party". Beginning in the 1970s, ultraconservatives attempted to establish their principles into the government and culture of the United States, with the use of think tanks , political action committees , and lobbyists . These groups were typically supported by wealthy individuals, including
180-457: A holy man who, because of his practice of purificatory rites , was able to work as a medium for a kami . Later the term evolved to being synonymous with shinshoku - a man who works at a shrine and holds religious ceremonies there. In ancient times, because of the overlap of political and religious power within a clan, it was the head of the clan who led the clansmen during religious functions, or else it could be another official. Later,
216-521: Is neoliberalism . The use of conspiracy theories is also common amongst ultraconservatives. President Jair Bolsonaro was described as an ultraconservative during his tenure, often aligning his views with President Donald Trump . Upon taking office, Bolsonaro nominated ultraconservative Damares Alves to head the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship . His government would go on to be headed by elites who broadened extractivist activities in
252-419: Is a person responsible for the maintenance of a Shinto shrine ( 神社 , jinja ) as well as for leading worship of a given kami . The characters for kannushi are sometimes also read as jinshu with the same meaning. Originally, the kannushi were intermediaries between kami and people and could transmit their will to common humans. A kannushi was a man capable of miracles or
288-508: Is headquartered in the same building as Nippon Kaigi and acts as the organisation's secretariat. The organisation saw remarkably swift success in establishing strong connections among the establishment and in passing legislation that was congruent with the group's aims. In 1999, the Diet at last formally recognised Kimigayo as Japan's national anthem and the Hi no Maru as Japan's national flag. After
324-449: Is neither democratic nor modern. On 6 January 2017, sale of the book was banned by a district court for defamation, pending removal of the offending portion; a revised digital edition continued to be sold. Sales resumed that March when the court allowed a revised edition with 36 characters deleted to appear. Muneo Narusawa, the editor of Friday Weekly ( 週刊金曜日 , Shūkan Kin'yōbi ) , says that, in parallel with historical negationism,
360-527: Is no longer legally granted, it continues in practice. The clothes kannushi wear, such as the jōe , the eboshi and kariginu , do not have any special religious significance, but are simply official garments previously used by the Imperial court. This detail reveals the close connection between kami worship and the figure of the Emperor. Other implements used by kannushi include
396-466: Is vacant. Journalist Norimitsu Onishi says that the organisation promotes a revival of the values of the Empire of Japan . Tamotsu Sugano, the author of the bestselling exposé on the group, Research on Nippon Kaigi ( 日本会議の研究 ) , describes it as a movement democratic in method but intent on examining sex equality , restoring patriarchal/family values and returning Japan to a pre-war constitution that
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#1732772924797432-629: The Amazon rainforest , while having confrontations with the indigenous peoples in Brazil . In the United States, ultraconservatism first appeared when right-wing politicians and businesses led the opposition to the New Deal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt . Beginning in the 1960s, during the Cold War , ultraconservatism began to rise to prominence, especially with the radical right organization,
468-612: The John Birch Society . At this time, ultraconservatives were anticommunist , and opposed to the civil rights movement , trade unions, and social programs . Members of the John Birch Society believed that the civil rights movement would lead to the creation of a Soviet Negro Republic in the Southern United States. In 1961, Jacob Javits would say that ultraconservatism "represents
504-506: The Koch brothers , the families of Richard and Dick DeVos , the Walton family , and Richard Mellon Scaife . Ultraconservatives would then "mark some groups, seemingly based on race, class, and immigration status", in an effort to polarize the public, saying that some groups were "parasitic" to the economy and took away resources from wealthy individuals who could improve the economy . Into
540-593: The Senkaku Islands with China, and denies that Japan forced the comfort women into sexual slavery during World War II . Nippon Kaigi is opposed to feminism , LGBT rights , and the 1999 Gender Equality Law . Defunct Defunct Nippon Kaigi was founded in 1997 through the merger of two groups whose agendas included constitutional revision: Toshiro Mayuzumi , leader of the Nihon wo mamoru Kokumin Kaigi ,
576-658: The United States debt ceiling , calling for cuts to social spending. During the Obama administration, ultraconservatives would organize Americans into the Tea Party movement , and disseminate a message of "taking back our country" from Obama and creating the birther movement . In the 1980s, " neoauthoritarianism " (or "neoconservatism"), emerged as an ideology that would accelerate the Chinese economic reform and replace
612-566: The far-right on the political spectrum , comprising groups or individuals who are located to the right of those willing to temporarily agree with political moderates , and continuing further right to include fringe parties . Elements of ultraconservatism typically rely on cultural crisis; they frequently support anti-globalism – adopting stances of anti-immigration , nationalism , and sovereignty – use populism and political polarization , with in-group and out-group practices. The primary economic ideology for most ultraconservatives
648-482: The 21st century, the Second New Right , specifically during the tenure of George W. Bush , became more ultraconservative, with some elements of neofascism , adopting views supporting strict law and order , the defense of private property , and using nationalism to describe a mythical "past national glory". Following the election of Barack Obama in 2008, ultraconservatives made alarmist statements about
684-507: The 480 Japanese National Diet members were part of the group. Many ministers and a few prime ministers, including; Shigeru Ishiba , Tarō Asō , Shinzō Abe , Yoshihide Suga , and Fumio Kishida . The organisation describes its aims as to "change the postwar national consciousness based on the Tokyo Tribunal 's view of history as a fundamental problem" and to revise Japan's current Constitution , especially Article 9 which forbids
720-689: The Conservative Revolution drew inspiration from various elements of the 19th century, including Friedrich Nietzsche 's contempt for Christian ethics , democracy and egalitarianism; the anti-modern and anti-rationalist tendencies of German Romanticism ; the vision of an organic and naturally-organized folk community cultivated by the Völkisch movement ; the Prussian tradition of militaristic and authoritarian nationalism; and their own experience of comradeship and irrational violence on
756-619: The LDP itself as "ultraconservative". Ultraconservative has occasionally been used interchangeably with fascism , ultranationalism , and right-wing populism when describing the radical right in Europe . The Ultra-royalists were an ultra-conservative faction from 1815 to 1830 under the Bourbon Restoration in France . An Ultra was usually a member of the nobility of high society who strongly supported Roman Catholicism as
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#1732772924797792-665: The Xi Jinping's rule. Some hardline pro-Beijing conservatives in Hong Kong have been referred to by critics as "ultraconservative". Japan's far-right nationalist organization Nippon Kaigi , has been described as " reactionary " or "ultraconservative" due to its support for the constitutional amendment of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution , defense of the Empire of Japan , and denial of Japanese war crimes . Since 2006, all Japanese prime ministers from
828-461: The conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have been affiliated with the Nippon Kaigi. Fumio Kishida , who is currently the prime minister of Japan, is also a member of Nippon Kaigi. Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe , was often described as "ultraconservative" because he supported socially conservative and strong Japanese nationalist policies. Bryan Mark Rigg referred to
864-503: The constitution. We are for the glory of the nation." Nippon Kaigi has described six official goals of the organisation as: Nippon Kaigi believes that "Japan should be applauded for liberating much of East Asia from Western colonial powers; that the 1946–1948 Tokyo War Crimes tribunals were illegitimate; and that killings by Imperial Japanese troops during the 1937 Nanjing Massacre were exaggerated or fabricated". The group vigorously defends Japan's claim in its territorial dispute over
900-634: The existing orthodox Maoism . During Xi Jinping 's leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has become more closely related to ultraconservative, ultranationalist , and is referred by some as having Han-centric elements. Some of the CCP's politics are parallel to ideas by German ultraconservative Carl Schmitt . The Beijing Daily is a mainland Chinese newspaper, referred to by some as "ultraconservative". Hong Kong 's shrinking autonomy and democratic backsliding are linked to
936-842: The front lines of World War I . From the 1960–1970s onwards, the Conservative Revolution has largely influenced the European New Right , in particular the French Nouvelle Droite and the German Neue Rechte . In its first years, Jobbik held ultraconservative stances, promoting anti-communism and anti-globalism as some of its core tenets, though it became more successful as its views became more moderate. Shinto priest A kannushi ( 神主 , "divine master (of ceremonies) ", originally pronounced kamunushi ) , also called shinshoku ( 神職 , meaning "employee/worker of kami") ,
972-786: 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 , Shinzō Abe , and Yoshihide Suga . Abe's brother Nobuo Kishi is also a member of the Nippon Kaigi group in the Diet. Its former chairman, Toru Miyoshi , was the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan . After campaigning actively for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates in July 2016, Nippon Kaigi campaigned for constitutional revision in September 2016. After Takubo died, president
1008-435: The legislation passed, ensuing years saw the Ministry of Education and prefectural educational committees such as those of Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara issue guidelines forcing school teachers to adhere to specific procedures concerning these national symbols in the educational context. Nippon Kaigi claims 40,000 individual members, 47 prefectural chapters, and about 230 local chapters. The organisation's website lists
1044-455: The maintenance of a standing army . The group also aims to promote patriotic education, support official visits to Yasukuni Shrine and promote a nationalist interpretation of State Shinto . It also denies that comfort women , recruited by Japan during World War II, were forced to work. In the words of Hideaki Kase , an influential member of Nippon Kaigi, "We are dedicated to our conservative cause. We are monarchists . We are for revising
1080-540: The members depending on their seniority in the organisation 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. As of October 2014,
1116-556: The movement's founders to royalism . The movement supported a restoration of the House of Bourbon and, after the 1905 law on the separation of Church and State , the restoration of Roman Catholicism as the state religion—all as rallying points in distinction to the Third Republic of France which was considered corrupt and atheistic by many of its opponents. The Conservative Revolution ( German : Konservative Revolution )
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1152-724: The organisation often highlights historical facts that portray Japan as a victim, such as with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki , the Soviet declaration of war and invasion of Manchuria , and the North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens . Former education minister Hakubun Shimomura , the secretary general of the Discussion Group of Nippon Kaigi Diet Members ( 日本会議国会議員懇談会 , Nippon Kaigi Kokkai Giin Kondankai ) , argues for patriotic education and opposes
1188-794: The role evolved into a separate and more specialized form. The term appears in both the Kojiki (680 AD) and Nihon Shoki (720 AD), where the Empress Jingū and Emperor Sujin respectively become kannushi . Within the same shrine, such as at Ise Jingū or Ōmiwa Shrine , there can be different types of kannushi at the same time; these may be called, for example, Ō-kannushi ( 大神主 ) , Sō-kannushi ( 総神主 ) , or Gon-kannushi ( 権神主 ) . Kannushi are assisted in their religious or clerical work by women called miko . Kannushi can marry, and their children usually inherit their position. Although this hereditary status
1224-501: The state and only legal religion of France, the Bourbon monarchy , traditional hierarchy between classes and census suffrage against popular will and the interests of the bourgeoisie and their liberal and democratic tendencies. Action Française is a French ultraconservative monarchist political movement. Its ideology was dominated by the precepts of Charles Maurras , following his adherence and his conversion of
1260-484: Was a pivotal figure in the merger, and was slated to become the first president of Nippon Kaigi, but he died of illness on 10 April 1997, shortly before the new organisation's first meeting in May 1997. The position of founding president fell to Koichi Tsukamoto , the founder of Japanese clothier Wacoal . Yuzo Kabashima, the secretary general of Nippon Kaigi, established a sister organisation Nihon Seinen Kyogikai in 1977, which
1296-574: Was an ultraconservative movement in Germany prominent during the Weimar Republic —between World War I and the Nazi seizure of power —with intellectual exponents such as Oswald Spengler , Carl Schmitt , and Ernst Jünger . Plunged into what historian Fritz Stern has named a deep "cultural despair," uprooted as they felt within the rationalism and scientism of the modern world, theorists of
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