Taisei Yokusankai

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The Taisei Yokusankai (大政翼賛会 Imperial Rule Assistance Association, or Imperial Aid Association) was created in 1940 by Japanese Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoye. He decided to end party politics in Japan; under the Shintaisen Doctrine he moved to dissolve all the traditional parties. As a replacement there was the Taisei Yokusankai, a "right-socialist" entity or umbrella group. Its creation therefore was equivalent to making the Empire of Japan a single-party state.

Contents

0.1 Origins of the movement
0.2 Ideas of the movement
0.3 Political trajectory of the organization

1 See also

Origins of the movement

The movement arose during conferences in Karuizawa between Konoye, and his political colleagues Fumio Goto, Count Yoriyasu Arima and ex-syndicalist and right-wing spokesman Fusanosuke Kuhara. The conception was of a movement divided into two wings: one a socialist and populist left wing, led by Kingoro Hashimoto and the other a traditionalist right wing led by Senjuro Hayashi, for the capitalist interest. Another leading figure in the movement was Heisuke Yanagawa.

Ideas of the movement

Konoye wanted a unique party in government. This party would be formed by a unification of all bureaucrats and politicians in accord with Imperial Doctrine of Japan. All opinions should come to consensus in a common cause. At the same time all independent trades unions that still existed were banned, being replaced by a centralized 'patriotic' syndicate in support of the war efforts, the Nation Service Society. The "Consensus State" doctrines in Japan resulted from the war situation, and were essentially defensive in nature.

Associated were the "National Belief Mobilization" and Spiritual Mobilization under slogans such as "Yamato damashii" (Yamato Spirit), "Kodoha" (Imperial Way), "Hakko Ichiu" (eight squares under one roof), "Saisei-Itchi" (Government-Religion Unity), and also the Amau Doctrine (an Asian Monroe Doctrine).

Political trajectory of the organization

When the organization was launched officially, and Konoye hailed as a "political saviour" of a nation in chaos, the inner wings were divided. Political and doctrinal fights broke out when leftists declared open war on rightists who represented the capitalists and traditionalists in the Japanese Diet.

Taisei Yokusankai

Origins of the movement

Ideas of the movement

Political trajectory of the organization

See also