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Susumu Nishibe

にしべ すすむ

Nishibe Susumu

Pen Names: Stephen Nash（Pen name used for some publications）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1939-03-15 （Oshamanbe, Yamakoshi District, Hokkaido, Japan）
Died
2018-01-21 （Denenchofu 5-chome, Ota, Tokyo, Japan (Tamagawa River)） age 78
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Oshamanbe, Hokkaido, Japan → Denenchofu, Ota, Tokyo, Japan → Berkeley, California, United States (study/research stay) → Cambridge, United Kingdom (study/research stay)

Career

Occupations
critic, economist, university professor, author, television commentator
Active Years
1958-2017
Affiliations
Yokohama National University (Associate Professor), University of Tokyo (Associate Professor / Professor, College of Arts and Sciences), Suzuka International University (Visiting Professor), Shumei University (Professor, Head), The Open University of Japan (Visiting Professor)
Memberships
Communist League (Bundō) (student years), Society for the Creation of New History Textbooks (participant; nominally a director but kept distance)
Influenced By
Edmund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, José Ortega y Gasset, Yukichi Fukuzawa, Joseph Schumpeter, Tsuneari Fukuda
Influenced
Shinzo Abe, Keishi Saeki, Chie Go, Ryuichiro Matsubara, Koyu Nishimura, Koichiro Tomioka, Tetsuya Miyazaki, Satoshi Fujii, Takeshi Nakano, Keita Shibayama, Takeshi Sato, Shinji Miyadai

Education

University of Tokyo
Faculty of Economics / Department of Economics
Degree: 学士（経済学）
Period: 1958-1964
Year of Graduation: 1964
Country: Japan
Graduate School of the University of Tokyo
Graduate School of Economics / Department of Theoretical Economics
Degree: 修士（経済学）
Period: 1964-1971
Year of Graduation: 1971
Country: Japan
Supervisor: Genro Kaji
University of California, Berkeley
Period: 1970年代（在籍・研究滞在）
Country: United States
Visiting study/research stay
University of Cambridge
Period: 1970年代（在籍・研究滞在）
Country: United Kingdom
Visiting study/research stay

Awards

Yoshino Sakuzō Award
1983
Work: Introduction to Economic Ethics
Organization: Yoshino Sakuzō Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Suntory Prize (academic/arts)
1984
Work: Earnest Play: The Struggle against Value Relativism
Category: 社会思想・エッセー
Organization: Suntory Foundation
Result: 受賞
Seiron Grand Prize
1992
Work: Commentary and essays
Organization: Sankei Shimbun / Seiron Editorial Department
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award)
2010
Work: Journey of Sancho Panza
Category: 文芸
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs (Japan)
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Introduction to Economic Ethics

1983 Economic thought / essays

A scholarly essay examining the relationship between economics and ethics, engaging with thinkers such as Keynes and Veblen and critiquing conventional economic outlooks.

economic ethicshistory of economic thoughtconservative critique

Earnest Play: The Struggle against Value Relativism

1984 Essays / Social thought

A collection of essays criticizing value relativism and discussing mass society and contemporary culture from a conservative vantage point.

value theorycultural criticismcritique of mass society

Into the Mirage: A Late Experience in America

1979 Essay / travelogue

A reflective travelogue based on his stays in the United States and the UK, using overseas experience to examine Japanese and Western societies.

cross-cultural experiencecomparative thoughtsocial criticism

Journey of Sancho Panza

2009 Essays / commentary

An essayistic work reflecting on society, culture and personal life; this book later received an Art Encouragement Prize.

reflections on lifecultural criticismconservative thought

The Essence of Conservatism — Speaking of Civilizational Disorder

2017 Political thought / essays

A late-career exposition of conservative thought, critiquing mass culture and contemporary politics while restating conservative principles.

conservative thoughtcritique of mass societypolitical philosophy

Bibliography

  • Socio-Economics: Collective Economic Behavior
  • Into the Mirage: A Late American Experience
  • Introduction to Economic Ethics
  • Earnest Play: The Struggle against Value Relativism
  • Rebellion Against the Masses
  • The 1960 Security Struggle: A Sentimental Journey
  • Journey of Sancho Panza
  • The Essence of Conservatism
  • The Conservative's Testament
  • On Life and Death

Adaptations

  • LEFT ALONE (directed by Kishushu Ido, 2005)
  • Belgrade 1999 (directed by Yu Kaneko, 2009)

Translations by Author

  • A. Hieache (ed.), 'Schumpeter's Vision: Modern Appraisal of Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy' (co-translator)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
logical and assertive tonehybrid of essayistic reflections and analytical commentaryclear argumentation defending conservative values
Recurring Motifs
critique of mass societyemphasis on nation and traditionquestions of life, death and assisted self-determinationeconomic ethics

Health

  • Stuttering (childhood)
    幼少期〜18歳頃
    Severe stuttering until around age 18, causing difficulty with speech in early life
  • Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; chronic back pain
    晩年（数年〜）
    Limited fine motor ability and difficulty handling heavy objects; interfered with writing activities
  • Dermatitis and neuralgia
    晩年
    Suffered chronic pain affecting quality of life

Legacy

As a leading conservative public intellectual in contemporary Japan, he left influential critiques and proposals on politics and culture. His writings and public interventions attracted both significant support and controversy; his death prompted broad social debate.

In Popular Culture

  • Host of the TV program 'Nishibe Susumu Seminar' and frequent appearances on programs such as 'Asa made Nama Terebi!' (live debate shows)
  • After his death, memorial specials, books and documentaries were produced

Quotes

  • I cannot hope for a peaceful natural death... because I do not wish to burden you further, I have chosen a manner of death as the culmination of my way of living — a self-chosen death.
    Source: Suicide note (left at the Tamagawa site) (2018)
  • What is truly fortunate for a human being is to be able to die. Please, let me die.
    Source: Remarks during a TV program recording ('Nishibe Susumu Seminar') (2018)

Trivia

  • Had severe stuttering until around age 18
  • Resigned from the University of Tokyo following the Komaba disturbances
  • Owned property in Nishi-Azabu used for an Italian restaurant 'Zefiro' run by his son (later closed)
  • Was a member of the Communist League (Bundō) during his university years
  • Received an Art Encouragement Prize for 'Journey of Sancho Panza' in 2010