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Inejiro Asanuma: An Assasination that Showed Japan’s Deepest Scars

Writer's picture: Ryan markelovRyan markelov

Photo by Yasushi Nagao

 

Japan in the late 40s to the end of the 50s was chaotic, yet revolutionary. Coming off of a devastating defeat in World War ll where events like the Tokyo Bombing and the dropping of two atomic weapons ravaged the country; Japan had to rebuild fast. The United States had given them a constitution and formed a democracy and attained full sovereignty in 1952. From there what’s known as the economic miracle took place, Japan hit the ground running; and their economy flourished at an astonishing rate as they became the second largest economy in the world by 1968. However, that time period proved to be some of the most politically volatile years in its democratic history, aftering being a military dictatorship during World War ll there was bound to be some ultra nationalistic voices in politics. 


The name Inejiro Asanuma doesn’t particularly ring any bells for people in the West, but his story is one that the West can relate to, as scars from a pre-WWll era re-emerge in right-wing contemporary politics. Born in Tokyo on December 27, 1898, he was quickly orphaned after his mother died at birth and his father from cancer not long after. Asanuma came from a truly troubled and humble background, which was reflected in the way he chose to participate in politics. While studying in Waseda University, he first found his voice in politics, as he became security general of the Farmer’s Labor Party until it was shut down by the government. During his time there, he was very active in left-wing protests and was anti-military. However, after his graduation in 1923, he started to spiral into extremism.


He would later identify as a national socialist and started to lean into the military government of Japan during the time. He joined political organizations that represent what’s known as “Uyoku Danti”, or ultra-nationalistic factions of the government. These organizations were in favor of the expansion of Imperial Japan and had a deep hatred for Marxists and communists. With a stance contrasting with what he advocated for in university, he then took up politics full time and joined the national diet as a political representative. He served there for 6 years, from 1936 to 1942, during the peak time of Japanese colonization.


After his leave in 1942, he took a 3 year break to look back and pivot his views on Japans' wars throughout the Pacific. After Japan's surrender in 1945, he came back to the scene and surprisingly worked under the Socialist party. During this time, he built up quite a lot of popularity and support, as he was charismatic and vouched for views that would champion the people during a time in Japan when there was nothing but disparity. Besides being in large support of government spending and social security, he was very fond of a strong partnership with China. He even went as far as to visit Mao Zhedong in 1959 and announce that the United States is an enemy of both Japan and China alike. In fact, one of his main issues with the government was the American involvement in the Japanese constitution, as it was primarily written by the U.S.


His charisma and ideas for policy were starting to gain traction as he became a very prominent and vocal member for the house of representatives. He, along with the Socialist Party,  were starting to gain enough popularity to overtake the ruling party at the time–the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party)–until tragedy struck. On October 17th, 1960, while Asanuma was giving a campaign speech live on TV in Hibya Hall, a teenager sprinted up the stage and impaled him in the gut with a samurai's yoroidoshi (small sword). The teenager was immediately tackled to the floor and detained before he could get another strike in; however, it was too late. The first blow was fatal, and it killed Asanuma on the spot.


The identity of the murderer turned out to be Otoya Yamaguchi, a 17-year-old high school student, who was still in his uniform when he committed the act. It was later revealed that Yamaguchi was also a member of the Uyoku Dentai (ultra-nationalists), and the motive for doing this was in a way an act of retribution. He felt like Asanuma betrayed the nationalist cause by cooperating with communist China. While in prison, Yamaguchi hanged himself with his bed sheets after writing, "Seven lives for my country. Long live his imperial majesty, the Emperor," in toothpaste on the wall of his cell.


Such a dramatic conflict between two nationalists, that unfolded live for all the people of Japan to see, paints such a vivid picture of the chaos and absurdity that nationalism has caused in the country. And although this may seem like it was too long ago, this polarity and extremism still echoes into modern democracies of the 21st century. A resurgence of extreme conservatism and nationalism across the world is more palpable now than ever. In times like these, it’s important to look back and realize the danger of extremism.

 

Sources Used:


Reischauer, Edwin O. Japan: The Story of a Nation. 4th ed., Knopf, 2020. 


Silverman, Leah. “This Japanese Leader Was Assassinated with a Samurai Sword during a Televised Debate.” All That’s Interesting, 9 Nov. 2023, allthatsinteresting.com/inejiro-asanuma-assassination. Accessed 22 June 2024. 


Tsuchinoko. “Remembering Asanuma Inejirō, Yamaguchi Otoya and the Turbulent Postwar Period.” Alimentary Machinations, shimizudani226.neocities.org/asanuma. Accessed 22 June 2024.



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