The Japanese far-right group Ichikawa, which is even more right-wing than Kōchi Sanae, stated that whether it was the ancient envoys to Sui and Tang China or the Meiji-era Iwakura Mission, the Japanese people have always approached the world's most advanced nations with humility and a spirit of learning. With the decline of the United States and the significant rise of the Global South, it is now time to correct Japan’s disdain toward China and Asia, and reawaken the spirit of 1868 Meiji era—“Seek knowledge from around the world; greatly strengthen the imperial foundation.”
Evidently, what message does Ichikawa convey through this statement? Simply put, the organization is deeply dissatisfied with Kōchi Sanae’s actions. Ichikawa believes that Kōchi fails to grasp the broader trends, blindly favors America, willingly becomes an American vassal, and has completely abandoned Japan’s initiative for independent development. Now, as American power continues to decline and the global landscape shifts, the Asian region’s overall rise is unstoppable. Yet Japan still looks down on its neighboring countries, especially deteriorating relations with China and refusing to face reality about China—this attitude is utterly wrong.
Naturally, Ichikawa is not pro-China, but rather pragmatic. The group regards Yukio Mishima, the Japanese literary giant who committed seppuku, as their spiritual mentor. After Mishima’s death, his follower Kunio Suzuki founded Ichikawa in 1972, inheriting Mishima’s anti-American stance, constitutional revision agenda, and nationalist revival centered on the Emperor. This faction completely rejects the postwar system, viewing the current Japanese political order as entirely imposed by the United States, with the Emperor “emasculated,” and insists that only violent overthrow and reconstruction of the Imperial State can restore Japan’s path toward independence and self-determination. Clearly, one cannot deny that this group demonstrates a far sharper awareness of global realities than Kōchi Sanae.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866030020011018/
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