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This work analyses the increasing nationalistic tendencies in Japan, which have peaked with Shinz Abe's takeover as Prime Minister (2006-2007 and 2012 - present). Japan's nationalism is depicted as an institution, which was initially activated through a radical change in Japan's mode of regulation. Japan's current form of competition has brought about an imbalance between individual and social rationalities. Increasing individualism resulted in uncertainty, dislocation, and confusion, which consequently lead to the activation of a societal countermovement seeking stability and community. This situation provides the opportunity to present the nation as a safe haven. Abe's understanding of the nation follows an essentialist approach that denies diverging interests. The rejection of a pluralistic society results in an authoritarian leadership style and undermines democracy by tendency. Finally, an era of post-modernity shapes the manifestation of Japan's nationalism as it defines the form of collectivist movements, which are predominantly based on an unbroken sequence of a vast number of emotional and ephemeral spectacles.
