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ing fascist tendencies of the Japanese empire. The official religious
teachings were frequently making references to the so called sacred-

ness of the Japanese emperor and nation, and introduced gradually the
lie of the supremacy of the Japanese race over all other nations. As a
consequence of this baseless and nonsensical idea, racism and hostility
towards foreigners emerged. However, the people’s interest in
Buddhism continued to worry the state administration which sought to
minimize the place of Buddhism in Japanese society. Basil Hall
Chamberlain describes this situation as follows:

The common people, it is true, continued to place their affections on
Buddhism, the popular festivals were Buddhist, and the temples where they
buried their dead were Buddhist. The governing class determined to change
all this. They insisted on the Shinto doctrine that the Mikado allegedly de-
scended in direct succession from the native goddess of the Sun, and that he
himself is supposedly a living god [Surely Allah is beyond that] on earth who
can justly claim the absolute fealty of his subjects. Things such as laws and
constitutions were but magnanimous gifts on His part, not in any sense pop-
ular rights. Of course, the ministers and officials, high and low, who carry
on His government, are to be regarded not as public servants, but rather as
executors of supreme — one might say supernatural – authority. 119

Whereas Japan had been closed community to the outside world
for centuries, during the Meiji era know-how and technology from
Western societies were acquired with great interest. Great importance
was placed on the army and navy, and Japan acquired a military capa-
bility strong and aggressive enough to defeat China and Russia.
Economic growth driven by radical nationalist sentiments required
ever greater natural resources and greater markets and consequently

led to colonialist ambitions. A patriotism that considered violence as an
appropriate means, at least in their own eyes, developed and Japan de-

Islam And Far Eastern Religions