Communism in Japan

[scarletghoul]

For those who are unaware, communism is gaining popularity in Japan. The Japan Communist Party is the 4th largest party in the Diet, with over 4 million votes last election, they have been apparently getting around 1000 new members a month recently because of the recession, and there is a manga of Das Kapital.

I always wanted to live in Japan but now I am even more motivated, heh.

So what do you all think of this?

[Lord Testicles]

This is good news if the communist party over there is actually communist.

Also link to manga of Das Kapital.

[Charles Xavier]

they are eurocommunists though. :(

[scarletghoul]

Yeah, Im not completely sure about the JCP. I heard them say something about 'working within the capitalist system' but I dunno, it seems a lot of the members are genuine. Really I dont know much about this and was hoping someone else would write long educational paragraph or something

Also Ive looked for it but can't find the manga on the internet. I dont think theyve finished translating it to english anyway

[The Idler]

Is Japan the closest modern state to a corporatocracy? Highly nationalist and businesses involved at the highest level?

[punisa]

Honestly I have my doubts, but a rise of communism in Japan would be a great example. Hope they gain more support.

[Herman]

The Japanese Communist Party is social-democratic in terms of leadership and, although the only left-wing party and movement with major support in the country, it has some reactionary politics. For example, they don't want to abolish the monarchy.


Is Japan the closest modern state to a corporatocracy? Highly nationalist and businesses involved at the highest level?Japan is an example of business and government working very closely together. Even bourgeois historians, sociologists, political scientists and others admit it. Japanese politics is so ingrained into capitalism that it's easy to spot former ministers and bureaucrats working in private companies. They have this hierarchical system where politicians help out business by lowering their taxes, giving the biggest corporations the best projects and opportunities and generally producing policies which aid business. These politicians, when they retire, they are hired by the very businesses they supported. They give them the best jobs in the company, with the highest salaries.

Japan, in terms of corporatism and economic fascism, would put Mussolini to shame.

[hugsandmarxism]

For those who are unaware, communism is gaining popularity in Japan. The Japan Communist Party is the 4th largest party in the Diet, with over 4 million votes last election, they have been apparently getting around 1000 new members a month recently because of the recession, and there is a manga of Das Kapital.

I always wanted to live in Japan but now I am even more motivated, heh.

So what do you all think of this?

OMG! My communist tendency and my anime-geekdom are on a crash course!

:thumbup:

On a serious note, I think Japan and this cultural discipline, bow to your ankles whenever you see a man with more money than you, may just have a chance at cracking towards revolutionary action, whether they profess to be more moderate or not.

[which doctor]

The JCP is a reformist political party that doesn't advocate revolution. Don't count on them to bring communism to Japan. The renewed interest in communism in Japan is very interesting though. They're making a Manga version of Marx's Das Kapital, it will be interesting to see what it looks like. Socialist inspired working class literature is also becoming popular once again in Japan. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

[Mather]

Besides the JCP, what is the state of the revolutionary left in Japan?

What other groups/parties exist out there? Which are the largest after the JCP? What anarchist groups exist in Japan?

[Die Neue Zeit]

Japan is an example of business and government working very closely together. Even bourgeois historians, sociologists, political scientists and others admit it. Japanese politics is so ingrained into capitalism that it's easy to spot former ministers and bureaucrats working in private companies. They have this hierarchical system where politicians help out business by lowering their taxes, giving the biggest corporations the best projects and opportunities and generally producing policies which aid business. These politicians, when they retire, they are hired by the very businesses they supported. They give them the best jobs in the company, with the highest salaries.

Japan, in terms of corporatism and economic fascism, would put Mussolini to shame.

I wonder what the Trotskyist position on this peculiar form of fascism would be. Leaving aside the absence of a worker-class movement, there is also the absence of a petit-bourgeois basis that was behind European "colonial" fascism. Then again, Japan's feudal mode of production was similar to Europe's and not to the vague "Asiatic" mode(s) of production.

[Robespierre2.0]

They're eurocommunists, but compared to what's been the norm since 1945- Liberal Democrat hegemony- this still is pretty satisfying.

Japan has historically been a very collectivist society, under both militarist-fascism and even capitalism, so socialism should fit them like a glove, if it comes to that.

Anyways, it's far too early to jump to conclusions about Japan's future.

[scarletghoul]

Exactly, the collective side of things could go pretty well, but the society is so hierarchical its crazy. Even the language is. It would be a massive challenge to turn thhis country into an equal society,and I think reforms are probably the only way to do it.

That said, the rise of the JCP will give a platform to more radical voices within the party. I dont know what other left parties there are in japan.

What happened to the Japanese Red Army?

[Devrim]

There is a new left communist magazine in Japan:

'Bunseki to Kouryuu' (Analysis and Exchange), a left communist publication has put out its first issue this December. The first issue features mostly translations of ICC articles, with one article on the NOVA teacher strike (language is Japanese btw).

Issue 1 contents:
- 'One Class, One Struggle'
- 'Theses on the spring 2006 students' movement in France'
- 'Workers Struggle during the Nova Bankruptcy'
- 'The Communist Left and the Continuity of Marxism' (first half)
There will be less translations and more original content in the next issue. Correspondence should be directed to [email protected]


Devrim

[redguard2009]

I'm not very knowledable about Japanese politics, but culturally this rise in the popularity of communism/socialism and progressive leftism seems to run parallel with the liberalization (I use that term loosely) of Japanese culture being ushered in by the younger generations. While most of the current generation of business and political elites are of the "old new school" (the period which saw Japan merge from a fascist-militarist country to super-capitalist), there's a huge sense of new culture sweeping in with teenagers and young adults who grew up in much more liberal households than their parents.

Just my two cents based on my limited experience with Japanese culture. Would be great for some Japanese to actually pitch in to this discussion!

[Revulero]

I dont know I also have my doubts, but mostly in the JCP not the people. Im glad to hear the rise of support in Japan, yet Im quite disturbed that the JCP still acknowledges the emporer as head of state.

[Brother No. 1]

bacisly we dont know where japan will go like we dont know where china will go but hopeful the Communist in both places will take action.

[Herman]

I wonder what the Trotskyist position on this peculiar form of fascism would be. Leaving aside the absence of a worker-class movement, there is also the absence of a petit-bourgeois basis that was behind European "colonial" fascism. Then again, Japan's feudal mode of production was similar to Europe's and not to the vague "Asiatic" mode(s) of production.

It's funny how companies and corporations are organized, and their internal structure and culture. The reason why socialism (or your social-proletocracy) hasn't been very popular among workers is because of their culture. For example, a company isn't seen in the typical "boss vs worker" mentality of the West, but it's seen as a family. The boss is seen as a father figure, as your caring and benevolent leader who understands you. The company is your family, your home. If you dedicate yourself wholly to your family, you will reap great rewards. The more loyal you are (and the more you show it), the better off you will be. Meetings aren't real meetings, but pre-arranged formal events where nothing is really discussed and everyone agrees on everything (the real decision-making is done before the meeting, where you talk with the meeting members beforehand).

It's not surprising that there are more people turning to Das Kapital or marxism, since the security of their jobs has been highly threatened (Japan has a high job security).

[redSHARP]

the Japanese communist party was gaining steam back in the 1920's but was crushed by ultra-nationalists with in the army. hopefully this wont happen! best of luck.

[Melebeb]

Based on what I have heard from a friend of mine that lives there, I think that one of the main reasons that could explain the current popularity of the party, besides the economic recession, is the fact that Japan its still heavily controled by militaristic and economic american forces.
For example, the infamous ninth article on the japanese constitution imposed by the american imperialist after the war, wich prohibits the existence of a national standing army, its each time more repudiated and discussed among the public media.

[Psy]

Based on what I have heard from a friend of mine that lives there, I think that one of the main reasons that could explain the current popularity of the party, besides the economic recession, is the fact that Japan its still heavily controled by militaristic and economic american forces.
For example, the infamous ninth article on the japanese constitution imposed by the american imperialist after the war, wich prohibits the existence of a national standing army, its each time more repudiated and discussed among the public media.

Actually the 9th article of the Japanese constitution states that Japan can't maintain a military force of "war potential", meaning Japan can only maintain armed forces for defensive purposes thus Japan does have a army, navy and air force but gets around the constitution by having these forces are under the Japan Self-Defense Forces that legally is considered a federal police force which the Japanese supreme court has time and again had held as legally in full compliance with Japan's constitution, thus in Japan you have the contradiction of a "peaceful" nation that is suppose to not have a large standing military that is militaristic and has the 22st largest active armed force in the world (just behind France).

[RedHal]

I highly doubt the army issue is the reason why communism and the JCP are gaining popularity. JCP opposes militarizing Japan. The repudiation of the 9th article is from right wing nationalists.

[x359594]

...yet Im quite disturbed that the JCP still acknowledges the emporer as head of state.

The JCP does not acknowledge the emperor as head of state. The Constitution of Japan recognizes the emperor as a symbol of national unity, nothing more, and the JCP doesn't challenge that (yet anyway.)

As others have said, the JCP is a social democratic party, but with 16 members of the Diet and several office holders at the prefecturial and municipal level it does have a platform for articulating working class and anti-imperialist issues.

[Yazman]

I would certainly like to hear more about this. About the policies and orientation of the party itself, of the members within it, and of its standing within the revolutionary left of Japan in general.

Also to re-iterate what was asked earlier: what happened to the JRA?

[x359594]

...what happened to the JRA?

Shigenobu (family name) Fusako who founded the JRA declared it disbanded from her prison cell in April 2001. At its peak the JRA numbered around 40 militants, and all of them are either dead, in jail, on parole or underground. The Japanese government in cooperation with the CIA, the Mossad, the KCIA and other Western intelligence agencies elimanted the JRA over a 20 year period.

[Reclaimed Dasein]

Yeah, Im not completely sure about the JCP. I heard them say something about 'working within the capitalist system' but I dunno, it seems a lot of the members are genuine. Really I dont know much about this and was hoping someone else would write long educational paragraph or something

Also Ive looked for it but can't find the manga on the internet. I dont think theyve finished translating it to english anyway
Indeed we haven't, but we're working on it. You can follow the progress of the translation project and help us here:

http://http://mangahelpers.com/s/revolutionarytranslations

An english article upon the manga can be found here:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-11-18/manga-guide-to-marx-das-kapital-to-ship-next-month

The actual book can be found here:
http://www.eastpress.co.jp/shosai.php?serial=797

Basically it's a story about a rural cheese maker who gets contracted with a capitalist to run a cheese factory. My japanese is pretty bad, but that seems to be it. I explains the concept of surplus value and shows the alienation of the workers. It's great stuff. I hope to have it all translated by the end of Feb.

[Psy]

John Pilger's Japan Behind the Mask (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6530413953346877863&ei=tSB5Sb-OH5Gu-QHRzPGrBQ&q=john+pilger+%2Bjapan&hl=en) (1987) shows labor issues have existed in Japan for decades.

[Revolutionary Youth]

Hope that one day, my beloved kanojo can see Communism rise in her country!:blushing:

[Brother No. 1]

you have someone in Japan comrade.:D

[Revolutionary Youth]

you have someone in Japan comrade.:D

It's my kanojo (彼女), it means "girlfriend" in English! :blushing: Yup, she's Japanese!:D

[Brother No. 1]

well i Belive you will have a good life with her comrade and to see communism from over there wont that be good for your girlfriend. I give you 2 thumbs up comrade.:D

[Revolutionary Youth]

well i Belive you will have a good life with her comrade and to see communism from over there wont that be good for your girlfriend. I give you 2 thumbs up comrade.:D

Boy oh boy, thank you very much, comrade!:D:D

[Brother No. 1]

no Problem comrade hope you 2 can one day have childern to teach the Socialist/Communist way to:D