Akao, Satoshi

Born in the family of an entrepreneur. Early fond of politics. In his youth he professed socialist views, was in contact with the communist underground. Being engaged in family business, he invested in social projects, tried to establish a socialist agribusiness, participated in the activities of radical trade unions. At the same time, he showed himself as a writer, writing novels in the genre of social utopia. From the mid-1920s he began to formulate the concepts of national and "imperial" socialism.

He was arrested for fundraising from entrepreneurs, qualified as extortion . Being imprisoned, disillusioned with left-wing ideas. He studied Buddhist, Confucian and Christian philosophy. Imbued with Japanese nationalism and extreme anti-communism .

In the early 1930s, Akao actively participated in the formation of far-right ultranationalist organizations. He headed the Society of State Builders, one of the structures of the All-Japan Council of the Joint Struggle of Patriotic Organizations — the right- wing populist movement of the Italian fascist party ^[1] . It is characteristic that not only anti-communist, but also anti-capitalist motives sounded in the slogans of the Council.

During the Second World War, supported the Japanese expansion , but objected to the attack on the United States . America Akao considered an outpost against Soviet communism . Because of his pro-American position, he had a reputation in the ruling circles as a kind of “ dissident ”. In 1942 he was elected to the lower house of parliament .

At the beginning of the post-war occupation, Akao was suspended from political activity. He returned to politics in the early 1950s ^[2] . In 1951 he created the Patriotic Party "Great Japan" . The party program combined Japanese nationalism with a pro-American course on an anti-communist and anti-Soviet basis and continued the traditions of the 1930s in the new conditions ^[3] . The political structure of Akao was an integral part of the operational right-wing network, closed to the leader of the ultra-right forces of the country, a prominent figure in WACL Yoshio Kodama ^[4] .

In the party there was a force unit that practiced attacks on left-wing activists. Akao was persistently suspected of having links with criminal structures ^[5] - which was an important feature of the entire Kodama system. In January 1960, Akao’s militants carried out a series of attacks and agitation actions. After October 12, 1960, Akao was arrested on suspicion of organizing the murder of the socialist politician Inetsiro Asanuma ^[6] , an opponent of the Japanese-American alliance. “Great Japan” was ranked as extremist organization. However, Akao was again released for lack of evidence after the suicide of Otoya Yamaguchi , the direct perpetrator of the assassination of Asanuma. Moreover, this case did not become the last force action of the ultra-right ^[7] . In total, Bin Akao was arrested 25 times for acts of political violence ^[8] .

Subsequently, Akao acted within the framework of official law. In particular, the campaign was carried out by car rallies under the flags of Japan, the United States and Great Britain. Akao called for the strengthening of the Japanese-American military-political alliance for a joint struggle with the USSR. He was also a supporter of the Japanese-British rapprochement and cooperation with South Korea against the DPRK . He took an extremely aggressive position on the issue of the "northern territories" .

Communism is our enemy, and if we do not destroy it, communism will destroy us. Destroy it! He is our worst enemy! Power will save the world on earth. And in such an armed world, America and Japan should be the strongest. Military bases — outposts of the struggle for peace — must surround the Soviet Union. Red managed to curtail the war in Vietnam , but Vietnam will be more! Vietnam - in Europe! Vietnam - in Africa! Vietnam - in Latin America! Vietnam wherever there is red! My dream is to see Japanese soldiers in such Vietnam.
Satoshi Akao ^[9]

Akao and his supporters called for a ban on the Japanese Communist Party . The slogans “Otstomim USSR!”, “Down with May 1!”, “Let's help Israel!” ^[10] were put forward ^. In 1982, Akao organized street actions in support of the Polish trade union Solidarity , motivating it with the tasks of anti-Soviet struggle.

Bin Akao and his structures were considered right-wing extremists. Participation in the regime of the 1930-1940s , criminal reputation, extreme radicalism excluded the possibility of integrating Akao into the official political elite even if the positions on a number of important issues coincide. Negative attitude to Akao and a large part of Japanese society, reject any extremism .

At the same time, Akao’s right-wing radicalism was an integral element of Japanese political life. His actions were a prominent factor in politics that had to be taken into account. Akao was a charismatic orator ^[11] , his speeches influenced politicized youth. The ultra-right had their stable electorate ^[12] . In 1989, 90-year-old Akao was again elected to the Chamber of Advisers of the Japanese Parliament .

Communist party? Do not worry - the court and the order of liquidation. Socialist Party? Leaders and journalists ... Liberal Democratic Party ? Rotten guys. Banks across the country, corporate executives for prisons. No, guys, that's not right. The country needs a master ... And I do not think that I am 90 years old. This is what you think.
Satoshi Akao ^[13]

Bin Akao died in 1990, remaining politically active until the end of his life.

Satoshi Akao’s political biography is a typical example of a shift from ultraleft radicalism to ultra-right, the “overflowing” of socialism to fascism. However, the installation of maximum cooperation with the United States lent some specifics to its program (for example, the pro-Israel spirit). In general, the Akao concept was a kind of WACL ideology.

Bin Akao is the author of a number of books, including political science essays of a nationalistic, anti-Soviet and pro-American character.