Arita agrees with that assessment, and warns that Japan is facing a turning point in its political history as it has taken “two or three steps to the right” since the election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December of last year. “Since Mr. Abe came to power, Zaitokukai and other groups have drastically strengthened and escalated their activities,” he said.

Making the situation worse, he said, is that television footage of the protest marches are being broadcast around the world and promoting the image of Japan as a hotbed of intolerant and racist thugs.

via Japan conservatives: 'Hate speech goes too far' | Asia | DW.DE | 09.07.2013.