Happiness Realization Party

The Happiness Realization Party (幸福実現党, Kōfuku Jitsugen-tō), abbreviated as 幸福,[2] 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 Happy Science religious movement.

Happiness Realization Party

幸福実現党
LeaderHiroko Matsune a.k.a. Ryōko Shaku
PresidentRyuho Okawa
ChairmanHironori Matsushima
SecretaryHironori Matsushima
SpokespersonHiroko Nanami
Secretary generalTadahiko Saito
Founded23 May 2009 (2009-05-23)
Headquarters6th floor of Utopia Activity Promotion Hall, Akasaka 2-10-8, Minato Ward, Tokyo, Japan
Ideology
Political positionFar-right[1]
ReligionHappy Science
Colours
  •   Blue
  •   Yellow
Councillors
0 / 242
Representatives
0 / 465
Website
en.hr-party.jp
Former party headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo
Happiness Realization Party car sticker. Kyoto. 2010

Okawa is the current president of the party.[3]

Electoral history

In 2009, the party had 345 candidates, placing it on the ballots of 99% of Japan's 300 constituencies.[2] Many perennial candidates such as Yoshiro Nakamatsu joined the HRP.[4] Despite fielding a total of more than 1 million votes,[5] the party did not win any seats in the election.[6][7]

In 2012, the party again failed to gain any seats.[8]

As of April 2018, the party had 21 elected local councilors.[9]

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 and accepting foreigners as workforce. It also aims to change the pacifist Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution in order to increase Japan's economic and military power.[10]

The group identifies itself as "conservative"[11] and is generally considered a right-wing party.[12] The party advocates a nuclear deterrent for Japan,[13] denies that the Nanking Massacre occurred[14] and has called for China to be expelled from the United Nations Security Council.[15]

The party has 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.[5]

Administration

Jay Aeba, also known as Jikido Aeba (饗庭直道, あえば直道, Aeba Jikido), was, of May 2012, advisor of the Republican National Committee of the United States in charge of Asia, with Yuki Oikawa as one of the officials of HRP.[5]

Criticism

According to The Japan Times, "for many, the Happies smell suspiciously like a cult".[10] 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. Rydgren, Jens (2018). The Oxford Handbook of the Radical Right. Oxford University Press. p. 772. ISBN 978-0190274559. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  2. "NHKオンライン". Nhk.or.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  3. "幸福実現党｜党役員". Hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  4. Andrew Joyce (2010-06-30). "Japanese Politics — The Unusual Suspects". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  5. "Can the Tea Party Take Japan?". The Atlantic. May 2, 2012.
  6. "533". Pj News. Retrieved 2012-02-21.
  7. "Pursuit Of Happiness - Happiness Tips". Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  8. "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  9. "HRP Election Information". Happiness Realization Party. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  10. McNeill, David (4 August 2009), "Party offers a third way: happiness", The Japan Times, retrieved 7 November 2018
  11. "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  12. Molly Ball. "Can the Tea Party Take Japan? - Molly Ball". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  13. "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. 2012-09-16. Archived from the original on 2018-04-13. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  14. "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  15. "The Happiness Realization Party". En.hr-party.jp. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
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