Nationalism isn’t an issue in Japan

In this piece, Robert Dujarric challenges the notion, sometimes voiced abroad, that Japan was experiencing a surge of aggressive nationalism. He asserts that while pockets of right-wing ultranationalists exist (the noisy sound trucks and historical revisionists), they wield little real influence over Japan’s policy or public opinion. The average Japanese voter is far more concerned with bread-and-butter issues like pensions, healthcare, and jobs than with nationalist causes. Dujarric notes that Japan’s postwar record – no wars, cautious defense policy – attests to a deeply ingrained pacifism and pragmatism. Even politicians who espouse patriotic rhetoric, like Abe, govern within prudent limits and face public constraint if they go too far.

The commentary also highlights that xenophobic incidents or anti-foreign attitudes in Japan are relatively rare compared to some other nations – Japan’s society, while proud, is not mobilized by ethnic nationalism in any significant way. Dujarric’s conclusion is that fears of Japan “turning nationalistic” are overblown. The political center remains moderate and internationally minded. In essence, he reassures that Japan’s democracy is stable and its people not susceptible to the kind of nationalist fervor that would threaten regional peace, meaning engagement with Japan should not be clouded by misperceptions of a nationalist resurgence.