東京2020オリンピックのポリティクスと国家主義

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to critically examine the nationalism and politics behind the bidding and preparation processes of the Tokyo Olympic Games. Why did Shintaro Ishihara, the former governor of Tokyo, step forward to bid for the Olympics? In this context, I analyze his nationalistic consciousness and historical awareness, and his attraction to neoliberal educational reform. Ishihara has determined that a negative historical perception of Japan’s modern history dominates Japanese society and education, and that many Japanese have lost sight of their fundamental goals and their confidence due to economic stagnation. He felt the need to hold the Olympics in order to restore the confidence of the Japanese people and to revitalize a stagnant Japanese society. For this reason, the Tokyo Olympics was positioned as the perfect opportunity to gain public support and as an optimal event to raise people’s awareness of Japan as a great power, and to promote a greater level of national unity. In this effort, the Olympics were publicized as “The Recovery and Reconstruction Games,” a concept which was constantly advanced during the bidding process and in preparing to host the games. Under this guise, the preparations for the Olympics, which were initially carried out in the hope of uniting the country around the need for the reconstruction of disaster-stricken areas, became focused on revitalizing national identity and regaining Japanese pride. However, the Tokyo Games did not have a positive effect in relation to the stated goal of “recovery”. I also examine the political nature of the “Specified Secret Protection Act” enacted by the Japanese government and the conspiracy it effectively engaged in in the process of preparing for the Olympics. The goal of the legislation was to take advantage of the Olympics in order to build a “surveillance society,” and to make political use of the Imperial Family for this purpose. In the propaganda surrounding the Olympics that was promoted in the schools, there was an emphasis on Japanese identity and nationalism. The statements and stances of the politicians who were promoting the Olympics, and the related policies, exposed their blatant nationalism and political goals.