Reunification of the Japan Socialist Party
The Reunification of the Japan Socialist Party (Japanese: 社会党再統一, Shakaitō Sai Tōitsu) was the event in which the Japan Socialist Party, which had split into left and right factions, reunified at its party congress on October 13, 1955.[1] Together with the subsequent conservative merger, it led to the formation of the 1955 System.
Overview
[edit]In 1951, the Japan Socialist Party split over the San Francisco Peace Treaty into the pro-treaty Right Socialist Party of Japan and the anti-treaty Left Socialist Party of Japan. Afterwards, in order to counter the conservative government's "Reverse Course" and moves toward constitutional revision, the Left Socialist Party advocated "defense of the Constitution and opposition to the Security Treaty." It promoted opposition to the provision of bases to the U.S. military (which gradually expanded) and to rearmament, steadily increasing its seats in elections. In contrast, the Right Socialist Party, which faced internal divisions over the rearmament issue and could not present a clear position, struggled to gain seats.
As the Left gained dominance within the socialist movement and the conservative camp remained divided, both factions saw mutual benefit in reunification: a united Socialist Party would be positioned to take power. This alignment of interests led to the reunification.[2]
On October 13, 1955, the Unified Socialist Party Congress was held. Mosaburō Suzuki of the left faction was elected chairman, while Inejirō Asanuma of the right faction became secretary-general.[3]
The reunification created a major party holding 158 seats in the House of Representatives of Japan. In 1957, the Labourers and Farmers Party also merged into the party, temporarily resolving the split in the socialist forces that had existed since 1948.
Notes
[edit]- ↑ 〔日本社会党統一大会宣誓書〕、鈴木茂三郎（日本社会党中央執行委員長）・河上丈太郎（日本社会党中央執行委員長）、昭和30年10月13日、国立国会図書館憲政資料室収集文書1268
- ↑ 改訂新版 世界大百科事典. "日本社会党(ニッポンシャカイトウ)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). DIGITALIO. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
At the time of the split, the Right Socialist Party held 30 seats and the Left Socialist Party held 17 seats in the Diet. However, the Left's peace-oriented platform gained broad public sympathy. At the same time, its cooperation with the expanding General Council of Trade Unions of Japan (Sōhyō) was strengthened. In the April 1953 general election, the Left overtook the Right with 72 seats to 66. In the February 1955 election, the Left further extended its lead with 89 seats to the Right's 67. Judging that a socialist government was now within reach due to the growing strength of both socialist parties and the intensifying conflicts within the conservative camp, the two parties suppressed some internal opposition, compromised on the party platform and personnel matters, and achieved reunification.
- ↑ 世相風俗観察会 (2009). 現代世相風俗史年表：1945-2008. 河出書房新社. p. 71. ISBN 9784309225043.
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- Conservative merger and Socialist party unification - NHK broadcasting history