Political Instability and the Rise of Social Movements
In the July House of Councillors election, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its junior coalition partner Komeito faced a significant loss, becoming minority ruling parties in both houses of the Diet. This shift has created a sense of uncertainty regarding Japan’s future governance. Meanwhile, concerns have emerged about the growing influence of the Sanseito party, which has expressed exclusionist views towards foreigners and minorities. However, Kyoko Tominaga, an associate professor at Ritsumeikan University specializing in social movements, offers a different perspective.
Tominaga suggests that the current political instability and exclusionism could present opportunities for social movements to thrive. She emphasizes that while many may perceive the visible conflicts and clashes of opinions in the divided Diet as negative, they can also be seen as a chance for social movements to expand their reach.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Movements
The upper house election campaign was marked by baseless rumors and slander, especially on social media. While some may struggle to see this instability positively, Tominaga points out that xenophobic movements are also considered “social movements.” Although she does not condone such movements, she highlights that Japan is a diverse society with varied values and opinions. Arbitrary separation of those who are “different from us” is not only impractical but also leads to a narrow societal perspective.
Social media, she notes, plays a dual role in shaping these movements. While it can amplify voices and create momentum, it also tends to foster division. Phenomena like “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers” contribute to this divide by displaying biased information and excluding differing viewpoints.
Expanding Rights and Countering Backlash
Historically, social movements have focused on expanding rights for minorities, such as eliminating gender discrimination and improving rights for sexual minorities. However, there has been a noticeable push to suppress these rights in recent times. Tominaga argues that liberal values have become widely accepted over the past decade, with increased discussions on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and LGBTQ rights.
While there has been backlash against these human rights movements, Tominaga emphasizes that counterarguments and rebuttals are consistently voiced. Movements protecting diversity continue to raise their voices against efforts to suppress minority rights, and she hopes to keep these movements visible and supported.
Participation in Social Movements in Japan
Japan is often noted for its low levels of participation in social movements. According to the World Values Survey, Japan’s protest participation rate is about 5%, significantly lower than France’s 40% and Germany’s 34%. However, Tominaga suggests that this might not reflect the true extent of participation.
She believes that there is a lot of invisible, latent, and individualized participation in Japan. Countless people volunteer, discuss political topics online, spread election posts, or react against them. These actions can change society, even if they are not perceived as “social movements.”
A recent example of a significant social movement is the Fuji Television issue, where a celebrity involved in a sexual harassment scandal was forced to retire, and network executives were punished. Online, a movement spread where people who resigned from work due to sexual harassment or power harassment shared their stories using the Japanese hashtag roughly translating to “the real reason I quit my job.” Tominaga sees this as a successful example of social movement activity.
The Impact of Social Movements
In July, Tominaga published “Naze Sekai wa Kawaru no ka” (“Why society changes,” published by Kodansha Ltd.), an introductory book on social movement theory, citing examples like the Fuji TV issue and the debate over selective separate surnames for married couples. Her message is clear: social movements are indeed changing society, and even those not directly involved have the potential to make a difference.
Regarding elections, Tominaga notes that the more voters and journalism engage with society, the more they tend to focus on threats and instability. However, she encourages people to have confidence in what has already been achieved.
For example, in June, the “lifeline trial,” where welfare recipients sued the national government over illegal reductions in benefits, resulted in a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the plaintiffs. In 2024, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), through which atomic bomb survivors have continued the nuclear weapons abolition movement, received the Nobel Peace Prize. Tominaga wants people to pay attention to these achievements of social movements.
The Future of Social Movements in Japan
Tominaga, who has researched social movements for 15 years, believes that the future of Japanese society and social movements is full of possibilities. She points to changes brought about by social movements, such as the disappearance of the name of Johnny & Associates Inc. following a sexual abuse scandal and announcements and warnings against sexual violence on public transportation.
By focusing on the narrative that Japan does not change or that social movements are meaningless, people may overlook the abundant potential for change that Japanese society has. As a researcher, Tominaga believes that the future of Japanese society and social movements is full of possibilities.