Nihongata haigaishugi: Zaitokukai, gaikokujin sansēken, higashi ajia chisēgaku(The Japanese-Model of Xenophobic Exclusionism: Zaitokukai, Resident Foreigner Enfranchisement and East Asian Geopolitics)

Abstract

In 2013, heito supīchi (hate speech) was ranked in the top 10 places in the ryūkōgo taishō (the Japanese popular expression grand prix), one of the year-end mass-media rituals that captures the year’s noteworthy social phenomena. Hate speech became one of 2013’s buzzwords because of the intensity of confrontations between Zaitokukai street demonstrators [Zainichi tokken o yurusanai nihon shimin no kai (Japanese citizens’ group against the privileges of special permanent residents)] and its sympathizers and anti-hate counter demonstrators. Although media coverage of hate speech increased dramatically in 2013, the Zaitokukai has been active since the mid-2000s. Zaitokukai members and sympathizers adopt intentionally provocative, derogatory, and politically incorrect expressions in their campaign efforts in both cyberspace and on the streets. Their prime hate speech target is zainichi Koreans—resident Koreans with special permanent residency who are former Japanese nationals of colonial origin or their descendants. Zaitokukai protests can also be against anything members consider pro-Korean, which they reflexively brand anti-Japanese. They target zainichi Korean organizations, schools, nursing homes, business areas, and neighborhoods with a concentration of zainichi Koreans and have directed their hate campaigns at Japanese municipal governments, corporations, and the Japanese Teacher’s Union as well. Zaitokukai’s ‘conservatism in action’ and protests by sympathetic far right groups have resulted in arrests as well as criminal and civil law suits, but they never appear to deter them from campaigning.