Fascism in Japan The announcement of the formation in Japan
of a Fascist party, known as the National League, should be read in the light of an article which appeared in the Spectator in November. Mr. Kenzo Adachi, a former Minister for -Home Affairs, spoke to the writer of the article in question of " the hand of providence calling the Japanese race to play a great role in the history of the world." That conviction, no less than the adoption of a black shirt, or black jacket, as emblem of the new party, and the importance given to the youth section of the movement, betoken the influence of Signor Mussolini and Italian Fascism generally. The programme of the new party is both vague and general, but it stands for some- thing it calls controlled economy, and seems likely on the whole to strengthen the influence of the Army as against the politicians. The politicians as such, indeed, appear to be almost completely at a discount in Japan. Par- liament is at the moment no more than a facade.
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