Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
common good
intentions she had learned in Soka Gakkai, and which were
projected onto Komeito because of what she had been told and could observe
about them. Komeito politicians, understood, but never stated explicitly, to be
practising Soka Gakkai members, were presented in the various news organs
of Komeito and Soka Gakkai read by supporters as people with a humani-
tarian political philosophy. Despite the implicit trust, she wanted to dispute
the image that:
-
To outside people, we all look the same, as if we all blindly follow. But I
don
'
t think that is the case for most people. There are many di
erent
opinions within Soka Gakkai
Although you can criticise Komeito for
not being critical enough, there must be a balance. You can
t just criticise.
I think it is good that Komeito remains a third force in Japanese politics
rather than becoming as big as say the LDP. It is better that it stands up
for those opinions and people who are not represented.
(conversation with Michi, 25/06/2004)
'
How did this perception persist in light of Komeito being represented in the
media as having given in to its right-wing partner, the LDP? Michi believed in
the idea that Komeito was a
for those who were unrepresented in
politics, making Komeito in her eyes a force for social justice in light of its
political agenda. Komeito, however, did have concerns about becoming more
representative as a party that could deal with the necessary issues of the day
and not only issues of welfare. Like most others, Michi was a great fan of the
Deputy Head of Komeito, Hamayotsu Toshiko. Her agenda and political
activities were certainly a
'
third force
'
in the Komeito political line-up that helped
to cement the image of Komeito as a compassionate party of and for the
common people. This image, backed up by years of social activities to
enhance the rights of children, the elderly and women, presented Hamayotsu
as an example, or more precisely a great inspiration to many supporters to
work for the collective good such as a fairer, more equal and caring society.
She was regarded as a person who because of her many e
'
force
'
orts to improve the
lives of children, women and the elderly, was seen to be motivated by com-
passion and a desire for social justice
-
two central elements of their Buddhist
philosophy. Moreover, hadn
nd a
diplomatic solution, and had not been able to? All this Michi considered
important to try to understand how Komeito came to its decision to support
the Koizumi administration.
Concerning the invasion itself, the Komei Shinbun talked about how
Komeito had tried to seek a UN resolution, but also how Saddam Hussein
had failed to comply with UN demands. Toyama and Hamayotsu had both
been to Iraq and Kuwait personally to try to avert the situation from esca-
lating into war just a few days prior to the commencement of the war
(Komeito 2003). Toyama told me how upon their return to Japan they went
straight to the Prime Minister
'
t she herself been to Iraq to try to
'
s residence, and told Koizumi that if he were to
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search