Tag Archives: Kyosanshumi

Agnes Chow and the idolisation of female activists in Japan

Posted on Sep 21, 2020 by William Andrews

Following the civil unrest over the subsequently withdrawn extradition bill, the latest chapter in the protracted saga in Hong Kong was the passing of a new national security law. The pro-democracy, anti-Beijing protests in the former British colony have rightly … Continue reading →

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Lovable communism: Japanese Communist Party creates anime idol character election songs and music videos

Posted on Jul 16, 2019 by William Andrews

The Japanese Communist Party has launched its campaign for the upcoming House of Councillors election this month with the customary tactics of speeches in public places and canvassing, but has also created surely the most original videos by any of … Continue reading →

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Politics and dōjinshi: Zengakuren booth at Comiket sells revolution to otaku

Posted on Jan 7, 2019 by William Andrews

On 31 December, 2018, while much of Japanese society was getting ready to crowd around the TV to watch Kōhaku Uta Gassen that evening on NHK or helping out in the kitchen, the scene was quite different in Odaiba, where … Continue reading →

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Zengakuren reaches milestone (and new viewers) with tongue-in-cheek and self-aware political YouTube video series

Posted on Jun 17, 2018 by William Andrews

Zengakuren is not only an organisation of left-wing student activists; it is also a group of YouTubers. Perhaps the most unlikely Japanese Internet hit of recent months, Zenshin Channel is named after the main newspaper of the Zengakuren parent organisation, … Continue reading →

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Kakuhidō declares war on Valentine’s Day in Japan (again)

Posted on Feb 12, 2018 by William Andrews

As reliable as the queues eagerly lining up to buy chocolates in Tokyo’s department stores, so it comes every year: the protest march by Kakumeiteki Himote Dōmei (Revolutionary League of Men Unpopular with Women), shortened to Kakuhidō, against the tyranny … Continue reading →

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