Cracking Down On Religions in Japan

In explaining the Japanese authorities’ crackdown on religions in the 1930s, Sheldon Garon wrote in his book "Moulding Japanese Minds The State In Everyday Life" that it was not so much due to the teachings or rituals, but rather the “rapid development outside the state-approved hierarchy of the established religions” that had led to the downfall of these religions.

For me, that seemed like a portrayal of China’s crack down of Falun Gong. Apart from the reference to the 1930s in his account, Garon could be mistaken for attempting to explain Beijing’s 1999 decision to rein in the spiritual sect.

“Although earlier “pseudo religions” had engaged in superstitious practices and healing, the police did not regard them as a serious challenge, precisely because they were generally folk religions with small local bases. The new religions became a “social evil” only after they attained nationwide organization and influence over hundreds of thousands amidst the “religious revival” of the early 1930s.”

While there are distinct differences between the two, one often cited reason for Beijing’s crackdown was due to the Chinese leadership’s tenuous hold on power. Hence there is an overwhelming desire for a type of social stability that does not allow for any real or perceived challenge to the status quo.

But in the case of Japan at that time, I am under the impression that democratization, though messy, was underway. Communism, though a menace, was under control. Political dissent, though in existence, was not so serious that it could unravel the leadership’s legitimacy. And religion, though widespread, had served the needs of the regime. So why was there a siege mentality on the part of Japanese leaders?