ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the evolving structure of the Kyochokai and its most basic doctrine. The parameters of the Kyochokai’s industrial ideal were first laid down by the chief sponsors of the organization, Tokonami Takejiro and Shibusawa Eiichi. Labour leaders’ belief in capitalists’ failure to honour their paternalist rhetoric coupled with the radicalization of the labour union movement during First World War led to labour’s rejection of the values and language of paternalism. The personality of each person within society is equal and of equal social value. In practice the notion of class conflict devolved into little more than name calling. While the new leadership denied the validity of class conflict as a workable social doctrine, like the Kyochokai founders they supported the notion that capitalists and workers had differing interests. The new Kyochokai leadership suggested its commitment to democracy with its repeated use of the phrase ‘respect for personality.
