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Happiness Realization Party

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Happiness Realization Party
PresidentRyuho Okawa
Founded23 May 2009 (2009-05-23)
Ideology
International affiliationHappy Science
Colours
  • Blue
  • yellow
Councillors0
Representatives0
Website
www.hr-party.jp
Party headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo
Happiness Realization Party car sticker. Kyoto. 2010

The Happiness Realization Party (幸福実現党, Kōfuku Jitsugen-tō), abbreviated as 幸福,[1] is a Japanese political party founded by Ryuho Okawa on 23 May 2009 "in order to offer the Japanese people a third option" for the elections of August 2009. The HRP is the political wing of the conservative and anti-communist Happy Science religious movement.

Okawa is the current president of the party.[2] One of the stated reasons for establishing the Happiness Realization Party was that neither of the two major parties, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) or the opposing Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), had defined a clear plan to deal with the threats from North Korea's missile testing or how to lift the country out of an economic recession. [neutrality is disputed] Lower taxes is one of the party's stated goals.

Electoral history

In 2009, the party had 345 candidates, placing it on the ballots of 99% of Japan's 300 constituencies.[1] Many perennial candidates such as Yoshiro Nakamatsu joined the HRP.[why?][3] Despite fielding a total of more than 1 million votes,[4] the party did not win any seats in the election.[5][6]

In 2012, the party again failed to gain any seats.[why?][7]

Manifesto

According to its manifesto, the group's goal is to more than double Japan's population to 300 million through making child-rearing easier for mothers. Other aims include actively accepting foreigners, taking more responsibility as a world leader, amending the pacifist Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to be able to guarantee the safety and protection of its people against the military threat of North Korea, to encourage a nuclear-free world, grounded in a spirit of religious tolerance, and introduce a religion education, as they state, that is based on a universal spirit of love, compassion, spirit of self-help and be able to make the distinction between good and evil.[8]

Nevertheless, the group identifies itself as "conservative"[9] and is generally considered a right-wing party.[10] The party advocates a nuclear deterrent for Japan,[11] denies that the Nanking Massacre occurred[12] and has called for China to be expelled from the United Nations Security Council.[13]

That party has even formed links to the American right, having attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2012, and bringing with them members of the Tokyo Tea Party.[4]

Administration

Jay Aeba is, as of May 2012, another leader in the group, with Yuki Oikawa as one of its officials.[4]

Message from Pema Gyalpo

In 2013, Noriko Tatsunokuchi, Chairman of Women Affairs Bureau of the party, read during the '5/3 Changing the Constitution and Protecting the Freedom of Japan and Asia! Citizens’ Rally & Demonstration' a message of Pema Gyalpo, a political scholar from Tibet and professor at Toin University of Yokohama, 'warning against "yesterday Tibet, tomorrow Japan," and (saying) that the people of Japan need to wake up and take a good look at the true face of China'.[14]

Criticism

According to The Japan Times, "for many, the Happies smell suspiciously like a cult".[8] The party has released promotional videos that claim North Korea and China are plotting to invade and colonize Japan after first subduing it through nuclear warfare.

References

  1. ^ a b "NHKオンライン". Nhk.or.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  2. ^ "幸福実現党｜党役員". Hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  3. ^ Andrew Joyce (2010-06-30). "Japanese Politics — The Unusual Suspects". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  4. ^ a b c "Can the Tea Party Take Japan?". The Atlantic. May 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "533". Pj News. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  6. ^ "Pursuit Of Happiness - Happiness Tips". Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  7. ^ "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  8. ^ a b McNeill, David (4 August 2009), "Party offers a third way: happiness", The Japan Times, retrieved 5 August 2009
  9. ^ "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  10. ^ Molly Ball. "Can the Tea Party Take Japan? - Molly Ball". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  11. ^ "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  12. ^ "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  13. ^ "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  14. ^ "Report on the “5/3 Changing the Constitution and Protecting the Freedom of Japan and Asia! Citizens’ Rally & Demonstration” Constitution Memorial Day, May 3 (Thursday, national holiday) (Support and Participation at Hibiya Large Open-Air Concert Hall)" - May 3, 2013 - Happiness Realization Party website
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