Religious Background of Abe

Asahi Shimbun ran a series of stories that reported political background of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. According to the article, Abe is firmly supported by a conservative organization called Nihon Kaigi, or Japan Conference, which members includes lawmakers, scholars or journalists. Furthermore, a cult group called Seicho-No-Ie has been affecting policies of Abe administration. The insistence of Abe on constitutional amendment can be deeply affected by them.

Nihon Kaigi was established in 1997 through integration of National Conference for Protecting Japan and Association for Protecting Japan. It was the time when description of the facts about comfort woman appeared on every history textbook for mid-school students. Secretary General of the organization is Yuzo Kabashima, who led a right-wing movement of Nagasaki University in 1960s. The president of Nihon Kaigi includes former Premier Taro Aso or other ranked lawmakers in Liberal Democratic Party.

As Special Adviser, Abe attended a party of Nihon Kaigi for the first time in his term earlier this month. Although Abe has been distant from being unequivocal on constitutional amendment, his close relationship with Nihon Kaigi indicated the firmness of his conviction. Nihon Kaigi hopes to lead Japanese Prime Minister to their goal of restoring conservative regime.

Kabashima and other principal members have close relationship with Seicho-No-Ie, which upholds a concept that all religions, including Christian, Islam, Buddhism, or Japanese Shinto, are integrated by God. “Seicho-No-Ie is another name of Great Universe and it is deemed to be the responding manifestation or personification of the noumenon of the Great Universe or the one absolute God,” says the homepage of Seicho-No-Ie International.

One of the Advisers for Prime Minister and a lawmaker in House of Councillors, Seiichi Eto, is the bridge between Abe and Seicho-No-Ie. As a long-time friend in political activity, Eto has been making every effort to raise Abe for Prime Minister. And Eto was deeply affected by his colleague in Seicho-No-Ie, Tetsuo Ito, in terms of policy making. Ito is now a member of policy committee of Nihon Kaigi.

As shown in the history of Asahi above, Abe has close relationship with a religious organization. Nihon Kaigi demands new constitution that reflects precious value of family. The draft of New Constitution by LDP included a provision: “Families have to help each other.” They hate individualism as a poison against Japanese tradition.