Anarchism in Japan
Encyclopedia
Anarchism
was an influential movement in Japan
in the 19th and 20th centuries. The anarchist movement was influenced by World War I
and World War II
, in which Japan played a major role. The anarchist movement in Japan can be divided into three phases: from 1906–1911, from 1912–1936 and from 1945–present day.
Anarchist ideas were first popularised in Japan by radical journalist Shūsui Kōtoku. After moving to Tokyo
in his teens, he was imprisoned in 1904 for breaking a press law
. In prison he read Peter Kropotkin
's Fields, Factories and Workshops
, and following his release he emigrated to the United States
, where he joined the Industrial Workers of the World
(IWW). After returning to Japan in 1906, he spoke to a large public meeting, held on 28 June 1906 in Tokyo, on the ideas he had developed while in the US. A number of articles then followed. He wrote, "I hope that from now on the socialist movement will abandon its commitment to a parliamentary party and will adapt its method and policy to the direct action
of the workers united as one".
In the following years the anarcho-communists concentrated on spreading information about anarchism by means of oral and written propaganda
. The conditions under which they operated were very difficult, and facing continuous harassment by police, some anarchists considered turning to more violent methods.
In 1926 two nationwide federations of anarchists were formed. The anarchist movement in the following years were characterised by intense debate between anarcho-communists and anarcho-syndicalists
. During the Invasion of Manchuria, the state began to silence internal opposition; a new wave of repression ensued. Although the anarchist movement adopted many strategies to survive, the state was determined to succeed. With the beginning of the World War II
, all anarchist organisations in Japan were forced to shut down. The anarchists had to maintain a low profile, hiding their political view from the public.
After the end of the war, Japan was under the effective rule of the United States. Heavy investment and a rapidly growing economy were accompanied by a clampdown on trade union autonomy. Although the anarchists re-organised, they found it difficult to flourish in these conditions.
Today the anarchist movement is much smaller than before.
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
was an influential movement in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in the 19th and 20th centuries. The anarchist movement was influenced by World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in which Japan played a major role. The anarchist movement in Japan can be divided into three phases: from 1906–1911, from 1912–1936 and from 1945–present day.
Anarchist ideas were first popularised in Japan by radical journalist Shūsui Kōtoku. After moving to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
in his teens, he was imprisoned in 1904 for breaking a press law
Press laws
Press Laws are the laws concerning the licensing of books and the liberty of expression in all products of the printing-press, especially newspapers . The liberty of the press has always been regarded by political writers as of supreme importance...
. In prison he read Peter Kropotkin
Peter Kropotkin
Prince Pyotr Alexeyevich Kropotkin was a Russian zoologist, evolutionary theorist, philosopher, economist, geographer, author and one of the world's foremost anarcho-communists. Kropotkin advocated a communist society free from central government and based on voluntary associations between...
's Fields, Factories and Workshops
Fields, Factories and Workshops
Fields, Factories and Workshops: or Industry Combined with Agriculture and Brain Work with Manual Work is a landmark anarchist text by Peter Kropotkin, and arguably one of the most influential and positive statements of the anarchist political philosophy. It is viewed by many as the central work of...
, and following his release he emigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he joined the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
(IWW). After returning to Japan in 1906, he spoke to a large public meeting, held on 28 June 1906 in Tokyo, on the ideas he had developed while in the US. A number of articles then followed. He wrote, "I hope that from now on the socialist movement will abandon its commitment to a parliamentary party and will adapt its method and policy to the direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
of the workers united as one".
In the following years the anarcho-communists concentrated on spreading information about anarchism by means of oral and written propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
. The conditions under which they operated were very difficult, and facing continuous harassment by police, some anarchists considered turning to more violent methods.
In 1926 two nationwide federations of anarchists were formed. The anarchist movement in the following years were characterised by intense debate between anarcho-communists and anarcho-syndicalists
Anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement. The word syndicalism comes from the French word syndicat which means trade union , from the Latin word syndicus which in turn comes from the Greek word σύνδικος which means caretaker of an issue...
. During the Invasion of Manchuria, the state began to silence internal opposition; a new wave of repression ensued. Although the anarchist movement adopted many strategies to survive, the state was determined to succeed. With the beginning of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, all anarchist organisations in Japan were forced to shut down. The anarchists had to maintain a low profile, hiding their political view from the public.
After the end of the war, Japan was under the effective rule of the United States. Heavy investment and a rapidly growing economy were accompanied by a clampdown on trade union autonomy. Although the anarchists re-organised, they found it difficult to flourish in these conditions.
Today the anarchist movement is much smaller than before.
See also
- Japanese Anarchist FederationJapanese Anarchist FederationThe Japanese Anarchist Federation was an anarchist union that existed in Japan from May 1946 to 1968.The JAF was plagued by disputes between anarcho-communists and anarcho-syndicalists and in October 1950 it split into two groups, the Japan Anarchist Club and the Anarchist Federation, the latter...
- Tomioka MakotoTomioka Makotowas a Japanese author and Anarchist. He was also known as Tetsu Nakahama. A member of the anarchist Guillotine Society which made two assassination attempts to avenge the murder of Ōsugi Sakae, Itō Noe, and Osugi's 6-year old nephew, by the military, on secret orders from Hirohito.He was executed...
- Kikuoka KuriKikuoka Kuriwas the pen-name of a Japanese author of poetry and novels active in Showa period Japan. His real name was Takagi Michinokuo.-Biography:Kiukoka was born in Hirosaki city, Aomori prefecture. His grandfather was from the samurai class and was an official in the Tsugaru Domain...
- Fumiko KanekoFumiko Kanekowas a Japanese anarchist and nihilist who was arrested and convicted for conspiring against the Showa Emperor of Japan by supporting Korean independence. She died in prison.-Early life:...
- Noe ItoNoe Itowas a Japanese anarchist, social critic, author and feminist.-Biography:Itō graduated from Ueno Girls' High School in Ueno, Tokyo, and joined the Bluestocking Society , producer of the feminist arts and culture magazine Seitō in 1912...
- Sakae Osugi
- BluestockingBluestocking (journal)Bluestocking was a Japanese feminist magazine founded in 1911 by Raicho Hiratsuka and produced by Hiratsuka and other members of the related group, the Bluestocking Society . An exhausted Hiratsuka turned over the reins to Noe Ito in 1915. Ito produced the journal with little assistance for almost...
- Jun TsujiJun Tsujiwas a Japanese author: a poet, essayist, playwright, and translator. He has also been described as a Dadaist, nihilist, epicurean, shakuhachi musician, actor, feminist, and bohemian...
- Nagoya AnarchistsNagoya AnarchistsThe Nagoya Anarchists were a group of anarchists warriors in Nagoya, Japan that included Bin Akao and Susumu Fukuda. In 1918 they joined the Rousoukai, The Society for Old Combatants. A group that gravitated towards ultranationalism, they became monarchists but retained a fierce anti-capitalist...
- Hajime MatsumotoHajime Matsumotois a Japanese activist, and owner of a second hand goods shop in Koenji, Tokyo.Matsumoto founded the Association to Protect the Poor Students of Hosei University while a student at Hosei University...
- High Treason IncidentHigh Treason IncidentThe , also known as the , was a socialist-anarchist plot to assassinate the Japanese Emperor Meiji in 1910, leading to a mass arrest of leftists, and the execution of 12 alleged conspirators in 1911....
- Shūsui Kōtoku
External links
- The Anarchist Movement in Japan by John Crump
- A Brief History of Japanese Anarchism
- "Anarchist Opposition to Japanese Militarism, 1926-37", a paper by John Crump presented at the British Association for Japanese StudiesBritish Association for Japanese studiesThe British Association for Japanese Studies, BAJS, is an association at Essex University in the United Kingdom, whose aim is to promote studies in the Japan...
- Irregular Rhythm Asylum, a Japanese anarcho-punkAnarcho-punkAnarcho-punk is punk rock that promotes anarchism. The term anarcho-punk is sometimes applied exclusively to bands that were part of the original anarcho-punk movement in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
portal - Amateur Revolt, an artistic and social activist collective in Mabashi, Koenji
- Mosakusha, an anarchist bookstore in Tokyo