"The Era of University Conflict": The Anguish of an Athletic Association Member 50 Years Ago

2019/12/23

It was in 1945 (Showa 20) that our country suffered catastrophic damage in the previous Great War and faced defeat. In the 70-plus years since then, the tireless efforts and wisdom of our predecessors have brought peace and prosperity to our nation. During that time, various political and social events emerged, and the path was by no means flat.

A quarter-century after the war, a startling phenomenon called "campus conflict" occurred, shaking the foundation of "academic independence." I have at hand an article I contributed to the Mita-hyoron (official monthly journal published by Keio University Press) at the time (March 1969 issue). It is a 6,000-character piece—"immature," driven by passion, and filled with expressions that were extremely disrespectful to those involved—written by a Keio students and Athletic Association member who was tossed about and continued to suffer in the midst of the turmoil. Furthermore, in the following issue, there were submissions from Masateru Ikuta, Director of the Athletic Association, and Takeo Tanabe, a senior who graduated in 1923 (Taisho 12), which were deep and broad-minded, as if advising and embracing the youth. How can I write about these memories today?

Fifty years ago, the storm of campus conflict raged across Japan. In almost all universities, days continued with buildings barricaded, classes cancelled, and core events such as entrance and graduation ceremonies suspended. The reasons were varied: clear leftist revolutionary ideology, rebellion against the established order, sincere reformist thought, and the backlash from students who did not agree with these and sought a peaceful campus life. All-night student assemblies, daily rallies, shouting matches, brawls, the dissolution of meetings... it can only be described as a fever.

Eventually, groups known as Zengakuren radicals became prominent. Armed with iron pipes, Geba-bo (wooden staves with many nails driven into them), helmets, and masks, they occupied central campus buildings. Faculty and students had no means to counter this violence and lawlessness. The President and professors were abducted, forced to wear placards around their necks, and coerced into "self-criticism." The campus was in a state of miserable ruin.

Keio University was no exception. Starting with the struggle against tuition increases in 1965 (Showa 40), the movement reached its peak in 1968 with the "opposition to the introduction of US military funds." It knew no bounds, and eventually, even the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration) was occupied by Zengakuren radicals. It was impossible to tell if they were Keio students, students from other universities, or even students at all. Teachers were confined and forced to perform self-criticism.

Reactions within the campus were diverse. While there were naturally Keio students and faculty who fiercely opposed the abnormal situation, there were even professors and Keio students who defended and supported the radicals. Each argued, clashed, and hated from their own positions, yet each also strengthened their sense of solidarity. Of course, there were also "non-political" students who took it as a perfect opportunity to just play around. No one possessed the physical power to stop or remove the lawlessness. To those afflicted by the fever, the sensible persuasion of Keio students was powerless and ineffective. However, for some reason, I don't recall hearing many strong arguments that the riot police should be brought in to immediately remove the illegal occupiers. Perhaps the unspoken pride and understanding that we should be a Juku of independence and self-respect prevented us from simplistically resorting to final measures.

Among the Keio students were members of the Athletic Association. At the time, there were probably around 1,400 members across 33 clubs. These were young people who endured rigorous training to represent Keio University in matches. They loved the Juku, loved sports, and were proud above all else to be members of the Juku Athletic Association. I was one of them, serving as the captain of the Karate Club and a standing committee member of the Athletic Association headquarters. I had the responsibility of overseeing not only the Karate Club but the entire Athletic Association. In the midst of this, there were Athletic Associations at some other universities that ended up in armed clashes with radicals. They stood up with force against the armed groups that threatened the existence of the universities they belonged to. Some universities overlooked or even encouraged these movements by their Athletic Associations. And the Athletic Associations lost. It was reckless. To the armed and combat-experienced radicals, the Athletic Association students were no match. It left irreparable rifts and hatred between students.

The various clubs of the Juku Athletic Association were diverse. Some clubs continued their practice quietly, while others cut practice short to rush to student assemblies and various rallies to voice their opinions. However, the strongest argument was: why does the sensible Athletic Association overlook the abnormal situation unfolding on the Mita Hilltop Square? The Karate Club frequently suspended practice to hold internal discussion sessions. This led to conflicts of opinion among members. I was tossed about and anguished. The individual versus the whole, left-right radical ideologies versus common sense, my attachment to the Juku where I had studied for 16 years, and my overflowing physical strength and passion.

In the end, the Athletic Association refrained from any collective action. This was the result of overcoming several moments of decision that were, quite literally, a hair's breadth away.

The conflict at the Juku effectively came to an end when the collective power of sensible Keio students, who persisted in dialogue, succeeded in getting the radicals to vacate the Jukukan-kyoku (Keio Corporate Administration). Keio University became the only university in Japan to achieve this without the introduction of the police.

What did the Juku, its Keio students, and Keio University alumni lose and gain through this historical experience? How will young Keio students and Keio University alumni receive and understand the meaning of this "campus conflict at the Juku," and who will verify it and pass it on to future generations? The thoughts that cross my mind are still complex. However, if we call those who devote themselves to what they love and the organizations they belong to, and who stand calmly without boasting, the "Elite," then through this painful yet vivid experience, I was able to meet many true Elites. Later, I learned that such experiences are rare in the real world. At the time of my "immature" submission, I had neither the means to realize this nor the words to describe it. Fifty years of time has made this possible.

*Affiliations and titles are those at the time of the magazine's publication.