Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Expands Right-Wing Activities After Retirement

Resumption of Chosei Nippon Meetings Following Yasukuni Shrine Visit

▲Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expanding his right-wing activities after retirement.

According to NHK on the 26th, former Prime Minister Abe held a meeting of the parliamentary group Chosei Nippon, of which he is chairman, in Tokyo the day before.

Chosei Nippon, joined by several faction members within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), originated from the "True Conservative Policy Study Group" established in 2007 by former Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, and focuses its activities on valuing Japan's history, tradition, and public order.

Chosei Nippon exhibits right-wing tendencies by opposing bills that grant local suffrage to foreigners residing in Japan or enable separate surnames for married couples, and lists "breaking away from the postwar system" as a major agenda.

About 20 people attended the meeting on the 25th, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Koichi Hagiuda, and LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hakubun Shimomura.

At the meeting, Abe expressed gratitude, saying that his victory in the LDP presidential election eight years ago was thanks to the members of Chosei Nippon.

Chosei Nippon appears to be seeking to resume full-scale activities following Abe's retirement as prime minister.

Minoru Kihara, chief secretary of Chosei Nippon and an aide to the prime minister, said, "We want to hold various study meetings centered around the Abe Award in the future."

It is analyzed that Abe, who stepped down from the prime ministership, is expanding right-wing activities to maintain his political influence.

Just three days after his retirement, on the 19th, he visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, and on the 19th of this month, he visited Yasukuni Shrine again to pay respects during the autumn festival (annual memorial service).

While Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga sent offerings to the shrine as a substitute for visiting during this festival, former Prime Minister Abe's direct visit seems to be attracting the attention of right-wing forces.

The group to Protect Japan's Dignity and National Interest, composed mainly of right-wing LDP lawmakers, is reportedly planning to invite former Prime Minister Abe to its first anniversary meeting held on the 27th.