What Became of the National Conservative Party and Kunimorishu?

* This article was written as of May 26, 2019. Updated September 12, 2021.

Anti-globalist parties have begun to appear in Japan as well. One of them is the National Conservative Party (Kokumin Hoshu-to).

The websites confirmed at the time were two: “National Conservative Party Hokkaido” and “National Conservative Party Tokyo.”

The public tends to see the party as a right-wing political group, but in my view it is a conservative party. As for Channel Sakura, I regard it as a media outlet that tries to convey the truth of the world and history with Japan as its subject; labelling it “dangerous” simply because of a vague right-leaning image is, I think, deeply biased.

Japan is an odd country: it can be kind toward LGBTQ people and diversity, yet harsh toward right-leaning ideas.

» Related: What is globalism in the first place?

The party ran in the unified local elections of April 2019 and was badly defeated. Concluding that it needed a support base and a team of active members — something like the organization behind Komeito — Channel Sakura's president Satoru Mizushima began calling for the formation of Kunimorishu around May 8, 2019.

Details were unclear at the time, and no website or recruitment guidelines could be found. I intended to keep an eye on how things developed.

The National Conservative Party Today

The name “National Conservative Party” is no longer used; the group now operates as a political organization called Shinto Kunimori (New Party Kunimori). Its website also appears to have been taken down.

Actual political activities continue through Shinto Kunimori and Kunimorishu, so please follow those for the latest.

Election Results of the National Conservative Party

In the unified local elections, the party fielded two candidates in Hokkaido.

About Kunimorishu

In short, Kunimorishu is a civil defence organization.

» Read about the launch of Kunimorishu here

“Civil defence” here means action taken by ordinary citizens to protect their country, in the spirit of Switzerland's famous civil defence handbook. The group was formed on the conviction that, because the government will not protect Japan, citizens themselves must rise up. Its activities are wide-ranging: supporting candidates of the National Conservative Party and decent LDP members in elections, campaigning against “anti-Japan” politicians, and more.

At first it will surely be a matter of trial and error, but I hope they will do their best, with the resolve to be a pillar, an eye and a great ship for Japan.

May 26, 2019 — sandragon965

» List of Kunimorishu-related social media accounts

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