The rightward shift of Japanese politics

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the political changes that took place during the Heisei era. Heisei began at a time when the era of ‘politics of interest’ that focused on interest distribution and redistribution drew to a close. A new type of politics that replaced it was marked by a neoliberal obsession with reform. The ‘politics of reform’ brought about political reform, administrative reform, and structural reform in succession. As the material basis of national integration was severely undermined by these neoliberal reforms, Heisei came to an end as an increasingly reactionary ‘politics of identity’ occupied the centre stage.