Was Japan Fascist from 1931-1945?

[k-onmmunist]

No, I don't tend to think so.

[Scam of God]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statism_in_Sh%C5%8Dwa_Japan

It was influenced by fascism, but not fascist in that it lacked enough industrialization to be called truly corporatist.

[Хahar 🤔]

Of course not.

[k-onmmunist]

I've always thought that too, but it seems to be a common conception among many people these days. Same with Finland, which certainly wasn't fascist.

[Psychic Octopus]

No, it wasn't "fascism" per se. It was influenced by it however, and becoming an Axis Power wasn't admirable.

I contend that Brits shouldn't have terminated their Alliance with Japan.

[patrick1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statism_in_Sh%C5%8Dwa_Japan

It was influenced by fascism, but not fascist in that it lacked enough industrialization to be called truly corporatist.

If it was not fascist then it was pretty close and likely closer to Nazism.  It had many of the hallmarks: Extreme nationalism, militarism, authoritarianism, racial superiority, deification of the leader and corporatism.   The Zaibatsu of Japan and the influences they wielded were similarly to the large industrial companies in Nazi Germany..

[k-onmmunist]

I contend that Brits shouldn't have terminated their Alliance with Japan.

I agree.

[patrick1]

I contend that Brits shouldn't have terminated their Alliance with Japan.

I agree.

Please expand on this.....

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Of course not.

[Хahar 🤔]

I've always thought that too, but it seems to be a common conception among many people these days. Same with Finland, which certainly wasn't fascist.

Finland was a democracy victimized by the Soviet Union.

[k-onmmunist]

I've always thought that too, but it seems to be a common conception among many people these days. Same with Finland, which certainly wasn't fascist.

Finland was a democracy victimized by the Soviet Union.

Pretty much. Though a relatively conservative/authoritarian democracy.

[Psychic Octopus]

Finland were a heroic little country who fought the Soviets with skis.

[k-onmmunist]

Ironic really... a democratic Axis nation fighting for it's own survival against an autocratic collectivised Allied nation.

[The Mikado]

Fascist?  Not really, though  adjectives like "racist," "ultra-nationalist," "imperialist," "aggressively expansionist," and the like add up to a pretty similar picture.

[JoeBrayson]

How did Japan and Germany co-ordinate themselves, I mean how did Nazi Germany ensure that Japan was 'on-message' with their aims and objectives. Was there any high level contact b/w the 2 powers during the war?

[k-onmmunist]

How did Japan and Germany co-ordinate themselves, I mean how did Nazi Germany ensure that Japan was 'on-message' with their aims and objectives. Was there any high level contact b/w the 2 powers during the war?

Other than the Anti-Comintern Pact etc., not really. Shortly after Pearl Harbour, the Allies tried searching for joint German-Japanese plans, and I don't think they ever found any.

[Lief 🗽]

They were definitely thought of as Fascist in the United States during the time period, and lumped with "the other fascist states" of Germany and Italy.

[The Mikado]

I should add that Barrington Moore thought that the Japanese were fascist, and his opinion is more valid than mine is.  However, that entire chapter of his book was murky and pretty unclear.

Have I mentioned before that I love Barrington Moore?  Any author who can, out of nowhere, go on a tangent that explains German history from the 1400s-present is pretty damn awesome.

http://www.amazon.com/Social-Origins-Dictatorship-Democracy-Peasant/dp/0807050733

[J. J.]

If it was not fascist then it was pretty close and likely closer to Nazism.  It had many of the hallmarks: Extreme nationalism, militarism, authoritarianism, racial superiority, deification of the leader and corporatism.   The Zaibatsu of Japan and the influences they wielded were similarly to the large industrial companies in Nazi Germany..

"Extreme nationalism, militarism, authoritarianism," marked many non-fascist regimes.  Racial superiority was prevalent in the US and probably in the UK at the same time. "Deification of the leader," was a practice that long predated modern Japan.

The Zaibatsu had had power from industrialization unlike the various corporations in Germany.

I would argue that even into the 1930's there was more dissent in Japan than in fascist nations.

[Bo]

If the definition of Fascism is a dictatorship with a market economy (aka a right-wing dictatorship), then yes, Japan was Fascist between 1931 and 1945 (and even before 1931).

[k-onmmunist]

If the definition of Fascism is a dictatorship with a market economy (aka a right-wing dictatorship), then yes, Japan was Fascist between 1931 and 1945 (and even before 1931).

Fascism isn't pro-market. It's pro-corporatism.

[Bo]

If the definition of Fascism is a dictatorship with a market economy (aka a right-wing dictatorship), then yes, Japan was Fascist between 1931 and 1945 (and even before 1931).

Fascism isn't pro-market. It's pro-corporatism.

Depends on whose definition.