Reviews

_ Japan’s ‘corporate society’

JAPAN: The Blighted Blossom. By Roy

Thomas. New Star Books. $25.95, hard-
cover,

The unthinkable happened in Japan on
July 23. The Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) lost its majority in the elections for
the upper house which it had held since the
Party’s inception in November, 1955 whena
Coalition of two very conservative parties
— the Liberals and the Democrats — was

Ormed. For 35 years democracy was in
fame only; the reality was an authoritarian
tule by government, big business, civil ser-
vants and underworld gangs using a system

of patronage, bribery, blackmail and vio-
lence.

eee

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The winning Japan Socialist Party (JSP),
chose a woman Takako Doi, to lead them
in 1986 ina country where few women have
been able to achieve leading responsibilities.
The JSP was much more radical in its early
years but is now more middle-of-the road.
In 1987, its non-armament position which
had been the basis of its policies since its
establishment, disappeared as did such
expressions as “‘Anti-Security Treaty” and
““Anti-Self Defence Forces.”

As a result of a number of scandalous
events and the imposition of a three per cent
sales tax and a growing number of social ills,
the JSP swept in, although the lower house
is still controlled by the LDP and an election
is not due for a couple of years.

Roy Thomas’ book, Japan: The Blighted
Blossom could not have appeared at a bet-
ter time, for he examines the social ills in
depth — the political corruption, unchecked
power of the corporations, the high cost of
education, the part-time work system,
oppression of women, increasing unem-
ployment, abysmal housing, unfair taxa-
tion, an antiquated justice system and
racism,

The LDP has been the architect of the
corporate-style state. As Thomas points
out: “As envisaged by the LDP in its prop-
osal of 1982, this state would consist of a
rule by a broad coalition of all political
parties, save the Communist, supplemented
by a single trade union federation and citi-
zens’ movements. The ideal is somewhat

reminiscent of fascist Italy in 1934.” The
Italian fascist philosophy, he suggests, is
reflected in the direction being taken in
Japan. “The corporate state keeps capital
on a light leash where labour’s freedom is
heavily curbed. The corporate state in this
way supplies the cloak for ruthless worker
exploitation.”

Finally, Thomas has exposed the role of
the U.S. from 1945 when, after the war,
progressives thought the social revolution
was at hand, but sucha move was thwarted
by the American occupiers who made sure
Japanese militarists and conservatives
returned to power.

“Tt had the backing of General Charles
Willoughby, MacArthur’s chief of military
intelligence, referred to by MacArthur as
‘my lovable fascist.’ This was not a merely
slip of the tongue; a long-time admirer of
Mussolini, Willoughby became upon retire-
ment an adviser to Spain’s fascist dictator
Franco. Once posted to Japan, Willoughby
recruited agents from the ultranationalist
right and spent millions of yen in covert
action against the centre and left.”

Today we see the U.S. pressure for trade
concessions and militarization which has
the support of the right wing faction who
argue that increased military spending and
arms exports would ease the severe unem-
ployment problem. Sounds familiar!

This really is an excellent book, one
which you once start, you don’t want to put
aside.

— Betty Griffin

New Chinese cinema on screen

Examples of the New Chinese Cinema
come to the Vancouver East Cinema Aug.
11-17, with six films that are part of Chinese
filmmakers’ post-1985 renascence set to be
screened.

The films include the internationally
acclaimed Hibiscus Town, which touches
on the devastating impact on a sidewalk
restaurant owner of the “four purges”
ushered in by the Cultural Revolution, as
well as The Big Parade, a movie that dram-
atizes the tension between individuals and
the collective in China as it focuses on the
intensive training of the Chinese army.

Also on the list are One and the Eight,
about Chinese prisoners during the war
against Japanese occupation; Woman/-

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Demon/Human, dramatizing the life of a
Peking Opera trainee; Dislocation, about
an engineer who designs a robot clone to
avoid the bureaucratic burdens of his work;
and Report on Pollution at the Women’s
Kingdom, about the destructive impact of
gossip and rumour on a family.

Tribune readers who get their paper by
Aug. 14 can catch One and the Eight at 7:30
p.m. or Dislocation at 9:30 p.m. Further
showings are: Aug. 15: Woman/Demon/-
Human at 7:15 and Hibiscus Town at 9:30;
Aug. 16: The Big Parade at 7:30 and Report
on Pollution at 9:45; Aug. 17: Dislocation at
7:30 and One and the Eight at 9:30. °

Separate admission is required for each
film and tickets are available at the theatre
box office on the night of the screening only.
The VEC is located at 2290 Commercial
Drive in Vancouver.

steerage
On Saturday Aug. 19, fans of Latin music
can catch the unique sound of the Andean
group Ancient Cultures which is appearing
at La Quena, 1111 Commercial Drive.
Tickets are $5.

‘TIM LOUIS

Classified
Advertising

COMING EVENTS

AUG. 26 — Cultural evening with Guatema-
lan musical group, Kin Lalat, and the participa-
tion of local musical groups. Russian Hall, 600
Campbell Ave., 8 p.m. Organized by the Solidar-
ity Committee with the People of Guatemala
‘Otto Rene Castillo’ and the Latin American
Studies Association.

AUG. 27 — Annual COPE Garden Party. Chi-
lean Housing Co-op, 3390 School Ave., Van-
couver. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: $8/$6 for
uneployed and seniors and $4 for children.
Includes a turkey and salmon dinner. Enter-
tainment, speakers, special activities for kids.
Call COPE office at 879-1447 for more info.

KAMLOOPS

POLITICAL DISCUSSION group will resume
in the fall.

TRIB LENDING LIBRARY — 242 Larch Ave.
Lots of labour and progressive literature for
your reading enjoyment at no cost. For inf
376-7110. Kamloops. * :

COMMERCIAL

TRIB PHOTOS — Would you like a specific
photo in the Pacific Tribune? Copies available:
5"x7"/$4.50, 8"x10"/$6. Phone 251-1186.

GRAMMA PUBLICATIONS. Complete print-
ing services. Brochures, menus, leaflets, etc. A
union shop. 2089 Commercial Dr. Vancouver.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 254-7717.

AUTOPLAN, GENERAL INSURANCE, Early
Agencies Ltd., 5817 Victoria Dr. Home,
tenants, business, trade union. Call Dave Mor-
ton, 321-6707.

VICTORIA
BILL HARTLEY your AutoPlan man. All types
of insurance. Mail in or phone in. 2420 Douglas
Street, Victoria, V8T 4L7. 388-5014.

PORT ALBERNI
STEREO, TV REPAIRS. All makes. Rebuilt
TVs for sale. TVs bought and sold. Call Andre
anytime! All Star TV-Stereo. 724-7238.

LEGAL SERVICES

RANKIN, BOND, McMURRAY. Barristers
and Solicitors. 2nd Floor, 157 Alexander Street,
682-3621.

CONSTANCE FOGAL. Family law, wills and
estates. #401-207 W. Hastings St., 687-0588.

DIRECTORY

COMMUNIST PARTY OF CANADA office
located at 1726 E. Hastings St., Van., V5L 1S9.
Phone: 254-9836. Office hours: 9:30-12 noon;
1-5 p.m. Mon. to Fri. For information on political
issues or assistance in political activity.

COPE. Working for Vancouver. #206-33 East
8 Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V5T 1R5. Phone:
879-1447.

HALLS FOR RENT

RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for
rentals. For reservations phone 254-3430.

UKRAINIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL
CENTRE — 805 East Pender St. Vancouver.
Available for banquets, weddings, meetings.
Phone 254-3436.

Classified advertising rates $1.25 perline per
week. Deadline for insertions: Monday of
week prior to publication.

Happy
Birthday

Glady

Best wishes to
someone special
from
Alf and Pat

Pacific Tribune, August 14, 1989 « 7

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