‘Samurai spirit’: Ultranationalists see Japan tilting their way

Driving around Tokyo blaring slogans on the 84th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, ultranationalist outfit Taikosha only has around 100 mostly male, middle-aged members.

But the recent rightward lurch of mainstream politics under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi means that suddenly some parts of their patriotic messaging no longer seem quite so fringe.

Since being elected in October, the conservative Takaichi has picked a fight with China, is preparing tough new rules on foreign nationals and wants to outlaw desecration of the Japanese flag.