Japanese politics has been dominated by the conservative Liberal Democratic Party for half a century, but every once in a while there are these small radical-sounding parties that take a stab at leadership positions. One of the most recent is the Happiness Realization Party. They've just published their manifesto in English this month, which includes goals like a new constitution, reduced taxes, protection against North Korean missiles, and the realization of true happiness.
The Happiness Realization Party is actually the political offshoot of a new religious group called Happy Science, which might be something similar to Scientology, though I don't know for sure.
Link (Thanks, Ted!)
Read more about Japanese politics on TokyoMango's politics channel.
They have a YouTube channel, with most part of videos in Japanese. But really creepy videos.
There's this one, with English sub
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ug1seRTZEA
Posted by: Saint Isaac | August 19, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Very alarming, but luckily new religions (well, most religions in general) are treated with skepticism in Japan. As an atheist, I am so envious of those who get to live in a largely secular society without the religious influences in their politics and social structure. Where did you see they may be related to scientology? Wiki didn't mention anything about that.
Posted by: alexanderpink | August 19, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Sorry for the comment necromancy, but I just found your blog yesterday and trawled the whole thing...
A couple of items regarding this bag of nut jobs. (My primary source of information on them is a job my wife and I did for the religious organization that is the primary backer of this party, as well as my wife who keeps a semi-amused eye on the various religious cults around Japan)
1) Not related to scientology.
2) Buddhist offshoot cult.
They are basically another buddhist/shinto type party, although primarily backed by what can be termed a cult. So they are not quite the general or typical Japanese religious type that would be represented by Komeito, but more specific to whatever religious experience they advocate, plus their nutty conspiracy theories.
Obviously, this is based on my limited observations and may not be completely accurate, take it for what it's worth. They paid quite well though.
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawnGEsaTMTiOc1dCooFht8G7C_3MX_r9OEw | February 07, 2010 at 10:41 PM