Conservatism in Japan

As a teen born and raised (mostly) in Tokyo, I’ve noticed some general changes to Japan from when I was young to the Japan today. Beyond new technologies and trends, I’ve noticed a growing conservative movement in our country. While I may not be an expert on politics, let me break down what I’ve seen and heard. 

Last semester, one of my history teachers was in hot waters after explaining what comfort women were in class. Although all he did was explain the comfort women were women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military, without expressing his opinion on the issue. Yet some parents complained, and the PTA had summoned him forward for a hearing. In this, I heard he was asked to “stick to the curriculum,” which barely mentions this dark chapter of our history. 

And this trend of hush-hush cover ups aren’t isolated. My sister, who’s five years younger than me, uses a textbook that’s pretty different from mine. This is because in 2021, the government decided to publish textbooks that downplayed, or at worst omitted controversial historical events. When I looked at his textbook, Japan’s involvement in WII was barely explained, and focused mostly on the aftereffects.

But then Japan’s recent rise to conservatism isn’t limited to history. Last summer, I attended a local LGBTQ+ pride event with my friends. I was shocked to see a group of protesters holding signs translating to “protect traditional families.” Although I knew LGBTQ+ wasn’t exactly mainstream, I didn’t anticipate seeing such open opposition (or more like vitriol) to gay rights in Japan, a country that’s generally been pretty passive. 

While I’m not exactly sure about the origins of this conservative trend, I’ve seen some news anchors equate it as a response to economic uncertainties, or the changing global fabric. As a teen, I know I only have a limited understanding of the factors at play, but I think this conservatism is due to how the older generations are reacting to the world today. 

Because although I love my grandparents, we hold some pretty different views about the world. Which is fair, because they grew up in a Japan more militarized, and less international than the one today. While I know they can’t necessarily represent a whole generation of Japanese, I think they partially represent the conservative movements at hand; where we currently have a tug-of-war between the older, conservative generation and the students of today. 

What I know for sure, however, is that what’s happening now will shape the Japan I’ll inherit as an adult. Whether it be about our national defense, history or acceptance of identities, I know it’ll be extremely important for me to be informed, at all times. And so, as I’ll be able to vote in a few years, I know I no longer have the leisure form watching from the sidelines. I have to be responsible to shape the Japan I want to see, and to do this, I must determine if this conservative tide is something I really want.