The Komeito and Local Japanese Politics

Abstract

THIS STUDY WAS undertaken as a preliminary survey of the Komei Party in Japanese local government with the aim of reaching some tentative conclusions about the party's potential for growth. It was motivated in part by a number of commonly expressed assumptions by political observers in and outside of Japan: (1) that the party has probably reached its peak; (2) that the Komeito is entirely dependent for its support upon its Buddhist parent body, the Soka Gakkai; (3) that the party's strength is confined to the large cities; and (4) that, while the leadership of the Komeito in the National Diet is politically astute, the local leadership of the party is of mediocre quality, below par in experience, education, and political sophistication. The Japanese Komeito or Clean Government Party, founded in 1964, has been a subject of considerable interest for a number of reasons, among them the party's rapid rise to national prominence and its often stated goal of becoming the leading party in the national government. Of no small interest and concern to many is the party's religious orientation, growing out of its close connection with the Soka Gakkai, a mass Buddhist lay organization. The Soka Gakkai (Value Creating Society) was founded in the 1930s and grew rapidly in the postwar years. It has today, according to various estimates, some 10 to 15 million mainly urban-based followers of the Japanese Buddhist Nichiren Sh6shfi sect. This sect, which claims to be the only true religion, promises happiness to all of its members. On its practical (as contrasted with its theological) side is the organization's perceived mission to strive for the creation of a perfect society in which true happiness is possible. This has led, through a highly organized group structure, to many endeavors of a self-realization and