Between Memory and Mobilization: Political Trauma and the Prospects of Student Activism in Contemporary Japan

This thesis examines the evolution of student activism in Japan since 1968 with a particular emphasis on the role of political trauma in shaping youth engagement following shocking events that occurred between 1968 and 1972. After an intense wave of protests in the late 1960s, student activism in Japan suffered from a heavy and significant decline, raising concerning questions about the enormous long-term impact of this specific historic movement. This study aims to investigate why and how the failure of the New-Left protests and student activism in the late 60s made contemporary Japanese youth gradually dissociate themselves from political activism. Political trauma is a key factor in this study, as it will be firstly analyzed the legacy of past movements through the lens of traumatic events and political trauma that led to the alienation of students. The failure of student movements in the late 1960s suggested a lasting feeling of disillusionment and alienation from political participation. However, following recent mobilization of students and militants regarding the pro-Palestinian movement, may shed light on future activism in Japan. Political trauma has played an important role in shaping apathy, reaction of both government authorities and universities. However, it does not preclude the possibility of the emergence of possible new movements, suggesting a re-branding of collective memory and past actions.