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De impotente oppositie

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

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De impotente oppositie

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

  2. Uitgangspunten • 1.5 party constellation: why? • Culture: absolute respect for authority • Internal conflicts in opposition • Emphasizing the wrong political themes • International politics

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Doi vs Nakasone

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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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’

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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?

  15. 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?

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