Japan finds itself at a critical point in its historical development. The world's third largest economy, it also has the world's second-highest debt burden in proportional terms and the current triple disaster is going to have dire consequences on the nation's recovery from the current worldwide recession. Economic uncertainty, loss of faith in current political structures and leaders, loss of status in the world, betrayal by corporations that have also been a key stabilizing structure in the nation: This is a potent mixture for resistance against the state and its representatives. This resistance may be peaceful and democratic. Or it may be violent, arising from dark, dank pools of ultranationalism that may well be already feasting on the bodies of the uncollected dead.

It is entirely possible that various ultranationalist right wing groups in Japan may produce or support recruitment of terrorists in the coming months. There are currently hundreds of ultranationalist groups in Japan, with tens of thousands of members.

While they range to some extent in philosophy and vehemence, they are generally unified around hostility toward China and North Korea and wish Japan to be more open to military strength. They generally oppose any action that makes the county look weak and so may be opposed to the government's asking other countries for help.

Possible responses and outcomes

The government may choose two possible general responses. They may either crack down on all dissent, which will probably result in increasing the trend toward increased nationalism and even increased violence. If the government is relatively lenient in terms of allowing dissent while keeping close tabs on any individuals that seem to have the potential for violence. Any crackdown by the government will likely been seen by ultranationalists as a sign of the...

However, there are things that the government can do that will help. The first is to permit a freer press and open dissent, perhaps by having politicians engage in open dialogue with right-wing nationalists or Shinto radicals. Exposing their ideas to the sunlight of discourse will do a great deal to limit its perniciousness.
The government must also be open about the difficulty of rebuilding and engage its citizens by asking for input on how to make Japan's recovery as rapid as possible. The more that people feel connected to their government, the less likely that they are to become violent in their protests.

The nation's leaders must be clear that they are not valorizing the nationalist leaders of the past but rather focus on the heroes of the present, reminding the Japanese that their best days can lie ahead.

While supplying all possible aide for physically rebuilding the nation and for support services like counseling, the government should also sponsor research into ways to create safer buildings and new forms of energy. This too will help people draw together and look to a shared future, a path that will lead them away from terrorism.

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Motohisa Yamakage. (2007). The Essence of Shinto, Japan's Spiritual Heart. Kodansha International: Tokyo.

http://www.cfr.org/japan/japans-new-nationalists/p4241