Japan's 'Green Marx' Offers a Prescription for Climate Change

Japanese philosopher Kohei Saito provocatively challenges the effectiveness of individual environmental actions, likening them to "Catholic indulgences" that offer false comfort. In his work, "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto," Saito argues that small gestures like reusable bags or electric cars do little to combat climate change and instead serve as "greenwashing" by powerful economic forces.

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Let us be clear about this right away: all these good deeds mean nothing. They may even do more harm than good. They are like Catholic indulgences, which allow one to ease one's conscience about consumerism and distract from the real threats, only allowing the forces of capital to wrap our fears in environmental impact statements and postpone them in the deceptive form known as greenwashing.

Saito contends that the root cause of the climate crisis lies in capitalism itself, pointing to the Industrial Revolution as the period when unchecked economic growth began to significantly alter the atmosphere. He proposes a return to Marxist thought, not to replicate its historical forms, but to excavate a new understanding of its principles to address contemporary ecological challenges. This approach suggests a fundamental shift away from the pursuit of economic growth as a societal goal.

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We must follow the climate crisis to its root cause. And the root cause is capitalism, understanding this fact is crucial. The abnormal increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere began with the Industrial Revolution, at the moment when capitalism truly began to rule the world.

The article delves into the complex history of Marxism and communism in Japan. It notes that Marx's "Communist Manifesto" gained traction among intellectuals in the early 20th century, and a Communist Party was established with Soviet backing. These movements faced severe repression under the imperial regime until Japan's defeat in World War II, after which they were allowed to operate more openly. However, a "Red Purge" in 1949, following a strong electoral showing by the communists, targeted party members and sympathizers across various sectors, leading to fragmentation within the party.

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I certainly do not want to replicate Marxism as it exists. I want to unearth and build a completely new aspect of Marx's thought.