The Rise of Far-Right Movements in 21st-Century Japan

Date
Monday 15 September 2025

Time
6.45pm

Venue
The Swedenborg Society
20-21 Bloomsbury Way (Hall entrance on Barter St)
London WC1A 2TH
[Map]

Booking Details
Free- Booking essential

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This lecture provides an overview of the rise of far-right movements in Japan since the early 21st century. In recent decades, Japan has witnessed the emergence of diverse social movements characterised by nationalist sentiments and xenophobic ideologies. Focusing on groups such as Zaitokukai and Sanseitō, the lecture examines both continuities and differences in their ideological orientations, leadership backgrounds, targeted minority groups and framing strategies, as well as their tactics of mobilisation. It also considers related dynamics such as the attention economy and the influence of conspiracy theories.

Dr Yutaka Yoshida is a Lecturer in Social Sciences at Cardiff University. His doctoral research examined far-right movements in Japan, including the Japan First Party and Zaitokukai, through life-story interviews with individual participants to explore the factors that drew them to these movements. His recent work focuses on vigilante YouTubers and romance fraud.

If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.

Image: People in the streets under Kiyomizu-dera temple in Kyoto (photo by Tiplada M)

Supported by the Toshiba International Foundation (TIFO)

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