Matayoshi Jesus
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese political activist, known for his perennial candidacy
. He styles himself The only God Mitsuo Matayoshi Jesus Christ (唯一神又吉光雄・イエス・キリスト) or Jesus Matayoshi (又吉イエス). He is the leader of the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党).
He was born in Ginowan, Okinawa
on February 5, 1944. After graduating from Chuo University
in Tokyo in 1968, he moved back to Okinawa and ran a juku
, a private school. Matayoshi was trained as a Protestant preacher, and through his religious studies developed a particular concept of Christianity
strongly influenced by eschatology
. In 1997 he established the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党), a political party based on his conviction that he is God
. His concept is both religious and political, a mix of Christian eschatology
like Augustine
's De civitate Dei ("City of God") and conservative
collectivism
.
as Christ
but within the current political system. His first step is to be appointed the Prime Minister of Japan
. Then he will reform Japanese society and be offered the post of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Then Matayoshi will reign over the whole world with two legitimate authorities, not only religious but also political. The world economic system will be altered to encourage every nation to be self-sufficient, based on agriculture. He accuses permanent residency
and naturalization
of foreigners because abandonment of their motherland is wrong. He wants ethnically non-Japanese people to go back to their ancestral homeland even if they are born in Japan. He wants the USA to withdraw its army from all overseas positions, including Okinawa. After his Judgment he will throw the corrupt into the Fire (see Revelation
).
(disembowelment, note that he avoids the more polite seppuku) and says that he will cast them into Gehenna
. Like most Japanese politicians, he campaigns in a single small regulation size mini-van
fitted with oversized loudspeakers. Unlike most however, he blasts his campaign slogans in a stylized, kabuki
-inspired voice.
Perennial candidate
A perennial candidate is one who frequently runs for public office with a record of success that is infrequent, if existent at all. Perennial candidates are often either members of minority political parties or have political opinions that are not mainstream. They may run without any serious hope...
. He styles himself The only God Mitsuo Matayoshi Jesus Christ (唯一神又吉光雄・イエス・キリスト) or Jesus Matayoshi (又吉イエス). He is the leader of the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党).
He was born in Ginowan, Okinawa
Ginowan, Okinawa
is a city located in Okinawa, Japan. As of 2003, the city has an estimated population of 88,318 and the density of 4,526.81 persons per km². The total area is 19.51 km². The city borders Chatan to the west, Okinawa City to the North, Urasoe to the south and Nishihara to the East.- Politics and...
on February 5, 1944. After graduating from Chuo University
Chuo University
Chuo University is a one of the Japanese leading universities. Thus it is competitive in several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:The university has been ranked 27th, 25th, 34th during 2008-2010 respectively in the ranking "Truly Strong Universities" by Toyo Keizai.-Research...
in Tokyo in 1968, he moved back to Okinawa and ran a juku
Cram school
Cram schools are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the entrance examinations of high schools or universities...
, a private school. Matayoshi was trained as a Protestant preacher, and through his religious studies developed a particular concept of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
strongly influenced by eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
. In 1997 he established the World Economic Community Party (世界経済共同体党), a political party based on his conviction that he is God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
. His concept is both religious and political, a mix of Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology
Christian eschatology is a major branch of study within Christian theology. Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning last and study , is the study of the end of things, whether the end of an individual life, the end of the age, or the end of the world...
like Augustine
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
's De civitate Dei ("City of God") and conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
collectivism
Collectivism
Collectivism is any philosophic, political, economic, mystical or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human in some collective group and the priority of group goals over individual goals. Collectivists usually focus on community, society, or nation...
.
Political program
According to his program he will do the Last JudgmentLast Judgment
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, or The Day of the Lord in Christian theology, is the final and eternal judgment by God of every nation. The concept is found in all the Canonical gospels, particularly the Gospel of Matthew. It will purportedly take place after the...
as Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
but within the current political system. His first step is to be appointed the Prime Minister of Japan
Prime Minister of Japan
The is the head of government of Japan. He is appointed by the Emperor of Japan after being designated by the Diet from among its members, and must enjoy the confidence of the House of Representatives to remain in office...
. Then he will reform Japanese society and be offered the post of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Then Matayoshi will reign over the whole world with two legitimate authorities, not only religious but also political. The world economic system will be altered to encourage every nation to be self-sufficient, based on agriculture. He accuses permanent residency
Permanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
and naturalization
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
of foreigners because abandonment of their motherland is wrong. He wants ethnically non-Japanese people to go back to their ancestral homeland even if they are born in Japan. He wants the USA to withdraw its army from all overseas positions, including Okinawa. After his Judgment he will throw the corrupt into the Fire (see Revelation
Revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
).
Elections
He has presented himself in many elections but he has not won yet. He has become well-known for his eccentric campaigns where he urges opponents to commit suicide by hara-kiriSeppuku
is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku was originally reserved only for samurai. Part of the samurai bushido honor code, seppuku was either used voluntarily by samurai to die with honor rather than fall into the hands of their enemies , or as a form of capital punishment...
(disembowelment, note that he avoids the more polite seppuku) and says that he will cast them into Gehenna
Gehenna
Gehenna , Gehinnom and Yiddish Gehinnam, are terms derived from a place outside ancient Jerusalem known in the Hebrew Bible as the Valley of the Son of Hinnom ; one of the two principal valleys surrounding the Old City.In the Hebrew Bible, the site was initially where apostate Israelites and...
. Like most Japanese politicians, he campaigns in a single small regulation size mini-van
Minivan
Minivan is a type of van designed for personal use. Minivans are typically either two-box or one box designs for maximum interior volume – and are taller than a sedan, hatchback, or a station wagon....
fitted with oversized loudspeakers. Unlike most however, he blasts his campaign slogans in a stylized, kabuki
Kabuki
is classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
-inspired voice.
Unsuccessful candidacies
- Mayor of Ginowan election (1997)
- House of Councilors election, from Okinawa (1998)
- Governor of Okinawa PrefectureOkinawa Prefectureis one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
election (1998) - Mayor of Ginowan election (2001)
- Mayor of NagoNago, Okinawais a city located in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 60,598 and the density of 288 persons per km². The total area is 210.30 km². The city was founded on August 1, 1970, and hosted the G-8 Summit in 2000.-...
election (2002) - Governor of Okinawa Prefecture election (2002)
- House of Representatives election, from TokyoTokyo, ; 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...
1st district (2003) - House of Councilors election, from Tokyo (2004)
- House of Representatives election, from TokyoTokyo, ; 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...
1st district (2005)