JRA, or Japanese Red Army – a Bloody Terrorist Organization from Japan
There Were No Borders for Them
Modern Japan, a country we associate with harmony, low crime, and tranquility, conceals in its recent history a dark and bloody chapter that shook the world. Did you know that in this oasis of peace, there existed one of the most ruthless, bloody, and brutal terrorist organizations? The Japanese Red Army (JRA) is a group that spared no means to achieve its revolutionary goals. Their history is a tale full of dramatic and shocking events from the 1970s and 80s that still evoke horror today.
The JRA was founded in the 1970s with the aim of overthrowing the Japanese government and supporting a global communist revolution. Their impact on Japan and the world was significant. They became famous for daring actions such as the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 in 1970, which ended with a landing in North Korea. However, their most shocking operation was the massacre at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv in 1972, where they cold-bloodedly murdered 24 people and injured 76 others. These brutal acts brought them international infamy, making their name synonymous with terror.
The Japanese Red Army is not only about bloody attacks and hijackings. It is also the story of people who were ready to sacrifice everything and everyone around them for their ideals. Their leader, Fusako Shigenobu, hid from authorities for years, continuing revolutionary activities from the Middle East. It is a story of determination, fanaticism, and fighting against the system. Why does their story still attract attention? Because it is a reminder that even in the most peaceful places, blood-curdling secrets may lurk. I invite you to delve into the history of the Japanese Red Army – an organization for which no task was too drastic if it led to their set goals.
Name: Sekigun-ha
The Japanese Red Army (JRA), or Sekigun-ha (赤軍派), is a name that carries a clear message and reflects the essence of the ideology the group adhered to.
⁕ 赤 (Seki) – red: The color red has long been a symbol of revolution and armed struggle. In the context of the Japanese Red Army, red symbolizes both the blood shed in battle and the ideological ties with the international communist movement.
⁕ 軍 (Gun) – army: This refers to the military aspect of the organization. The Japanese Red Army was not just a protest group – it was an organization that resorted to arms to achieve its goals. The use of the word "army" emphasizes their readiness to fight and armed resistance. It also refers to the original Soviet Red Army.
⁕ 派 (Ha) – faction: Faction indicates the division and distinctiveness of this group in the broader political and social context. The JRA was one of many factions that emerged from the leftist movement in Japan, but its extreme methods set it apart from others.
Therefore, the full translation of "Sekigun-ha" is "Red Army Faction." The name by which it is known in the West, "Japanese Red Army," was given by Western media in the 1970s to highlight the organization's origin.
Origins of JRA
Fusako Shigenobu
Fusako Shigenobu was born in 1945 in Tokyo. She was a student at Meiji University, where she became actively involved in student and political movements. In the 1960s, Shigenobu was a prominent figure in the leftist movement in Japan. Her political involvement gradually radicalized, leading her to establish the Japanese Red Army. She was not only an ideological leader but also an organizer of many terrorist operations.
Shiomi Takaya
Shiomi Takaya, born in 1941, was a student at the University of Tokyo, where he studied literature. He was one of the main ideologists of the leftist movement in Japan and one of the founders of the Red Army Faction. His views were strongly rooted in Marxism-Leninism and Trotskyism, and his goal was a global revolution to overthrow capitalist and imperialist systems.
Background
The 1960s and 70s in Japan were a time of significant social and political changes. After World War II, Japan transformed from a military empire into a modern democratic state under American supervision. However, this period also brought an increase in social tensions. Students and young people were dissatisfied with growing social inequalities, capitalism, and the American military presence in Japan.
Student movements, such as Zengakuren, gained importance. Zengakuren (全学連; All-Japan Federation of Student Self-Government Associations) was one of the main drivers of student protests, which often ended in violent clashes with the police. Students demanded educational, political, and social reforms, and their protests were often inspired by Marxist and communist ideas.
Formation of the JRA
The Japanese Red Army was formed as a result of an internal split within the leftist movement. In 1969, during a meeting of the Communist League, a division occurred between the eastern and western factions of Japan. The western faction, which included Fusako Shigenobu, was more radical and called for the use of violence to achieve revolutionary goals. As a result of this split, the western faction formed a new group known as Sekigun-ha, or the Red Army Faction.
The JRA quickly gained international attention through its spectacular and brutal operations, such as hijacking planes and attacking embassies. Moving their operational base to the Middle East, they cooperated with other terrorist groups, enabling them to carry out global terrorist actions.
Ideology and Goals of the JRA
Ideology
The Japanese Red Army (JRA) was an organization whose ideology was deeply rooted in Marxism-Leninism. Their beliefs were based on the theory that capitalism and imperialism are systems that must be overthrown through revolution. The members of the JRA believed that only radical actions and global armed struggle could bring about real social and political change. Their ideology was inspired by revolutionary movements worldwide, particularly in countries striving to overthrow colonialism and imperialism.
Goals
Overthrow the Japanese Government
The JRA aimed to overthrow the existing Japanese government, which they perceived as a puppet of American imperialism. They believed the government acted in the interests of capitalist and militaristic agendas, not in favor of the working people.
Support Global Communist Revolution
The JRA did not limit its activities to Japan. Collaborating with other revolutionary groups worldwide, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, they aimed to support a global communist revolution. Their goal was to unite with other revolutionary movements to create an international front against capitalism and imperialism.
Unite the World Under the Banner of Communism
The ultimate goal of the JRA was to unite the world under a common communist flag. They believed that only a global revolution could lead to the creation of a society based on equality, social justice, and collective ownership of the means of production. The JRA sought to create a worldwide communist system that would eliminate social and economic inequalities.
Activities of the JRA
Beginnings
The JRA began its activities with a series of daring and brutal actions. Among these were bank robberies aimed at obtaining the necessary funds to carry out further revolutionary activities. These robberies were well-planned and executed with remarkable precision, quickly attracting the attention of the media and authorities.
The next steps for the JRA were attacks on police stations. These actions aimed not only to obtain weapons and ammunition but also to intimidate law enforcement and show that the JRA was ready for direct confrontation with the state. These attacks were brutal and resulted in casualties among police officers, which heightened the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in society.
The early actions of the JRA were a prelude to their future operations, which would be even more audacious and bloody. These were the beginnings of an organization that would stop at nothing to achieve its revolutionary goals.
JRA Operations
Asama-Sanso Lodge Siege (1972)
One of the most dramatic events associated with the JRA was the Asama-Sanso Lodge siege. In the winter of 1972, five JRA members took over a mountain lodge, taking hostages. The siege lasted ten days, during which there were intense clashes with the police. Finally, after a brutal battle, the police managed to retake the lodge. The entire event was broadcast live on television, shocking the public in Japan.
Lod Airport Massacre in Tel Aviv (1972)
In May 1972, three JRA members carried out a brutal attack at Lod Airport in Tel Aviv (now Ben Gurion International Airport). Armed with automatic rifles, they murdered 24 people and injured 76 others. The massacre was one of the bloodiest terrorist attacks of that time and demonstrated the JRA's readiness to conduct operations on an international scale.
Hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 (1970)
In March 1970, the JRA carried out the first aircraft hijacking in Japan's history. Armed hijackers took control of Japan Airlines Flight 351, forcing the crew to land in North Korea. The incident ended with the release of most passengers, but the hijackers remained in North Korea, where they were granted asylum.
Incidents in Kuala Lumpur (1975) and Dhaka (1977)
In August 1975, JRA members took over the U.S. Embassy and several other buildings in Kuala Lumpur, taking hostages. After negotiations, the Japanese government agreed to release several JRA prisoners in exchange for the release of the hostages. Two years later, in September 1977, the JRA hijacked a Japan Airlines plane in Dhaka, forcing the government to meet their demands, including the release of more prisoners and the payment of a ransom.
Attack on the French Embassy in The Hague (1974)
In 1974, JRA members carried out a daring attack on the French Embassy in The Hague. Using weapons and explosives, they took over the building and took hostages, including the ambassador. After intense negotiations and shootouts, the hostages were released, but the attack left a lasting mark on international consciousness as an example of the JRA's brutal tactics.
Attack on OPEC Ministers in Vienna (1975)
In December 1975, JRA members, acting jointly with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), attacked the OPEC headquarters in Vienna, taking oil ministers hostage. During the attack, three people were killed. The hijackers demanded a ransom and a statement to be broadcast in the media, then fled by plane to Algeria, where they released the hostages after their demands were met.
Kidnapping of the French Ambassador in The Netherlands (1974)
In 1974, JRA members attacked the French Embassy in The Hague, taking hostages, including the ambassador. They used weapons and explosives to take control of the building. After intense negotiations and shootouts, the hostages were released, and the hijackers were given safe passage to Syria. This attack was an example of the JRA's brutal and daring methods, aimed at creating international chaos.
Further Activities of the JRA in the 80s and 90s
The 80s – International Cooperation
In the 1980s, the Japanese Red Army (JRA) continued its terrorist activities, focusing mainly on kidnappings and extortion to finance their operations. One of the most notable incidents was the kidnapping of embassy staff and foreign company employees in various countries. The JRA also collaborated with other terrorist groups, allowing for coordinated actions on a larger scale.
During this period, the JRA established close contacts with the Libyan government, which provided them with shelter and financial support. In return, the JRA offered their services in training Libyan fighters and carrying out attacks on targets chosen by the Libyan authorities. This cooperation enabled the JRA to survive and continue its activities despite increasing pressure from international security forces.
The 80s were also a time of intense training and recruitment of new members. The JRA established training camps in the Middle East, where new recruits were trained in terrorist tactics, weapon handling, and bombings. By collaborating with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the JRA could utilize their infrastructure and resources, significantly enhancing their operational capabilities.
The 90s – Change of Strategy
In the 1990s, the JRA changed its strategy, focusing more on propaganda operations and building an international support network. Many JRA members began operating as independent cells, conducting smaller-scale but symbolically significant attacks. This was also the time when the JRA started using new technologies, such as the Internet, for communication and coordination of activities.
One of the more well-known incidents was the hijacking of a plane in Thailand in 1990, which ended after negotiations with the Thai government and the release of the hostages. The JRA also carried out bombings at embassies and government institutions in various countries, aiming to destabilize regions and draw attention to their cause.
Despite increasing security measures and arrests, the JRA managed to maintain its structure and continue activities until the late 90s. Their history in these decades shows the adaptation and evolution of terrorist tactics in the face of growing international pressure.
The Fall of the JRA
In the 1990s, intense security actions worldwide led to the arrest of many key members of the Japanese Red Army (JRA). Through international cooperation and intelligence sharing, terrorists were located and captured in various countries, including Romania, Peru, and Lebanon. These arrests significantly weakened the organization's structures and hindered its further operations.
Another blow to the JRA came in 2000 when Fusako Shigenobu, the founder and main leader of the organization, was arrested in Osaka after more than 25 years in hiding. Shigenobu's arrest was of great symbolic and operational significance, as she was the mastermind behind many of the JRA's actions and strategies. In April 2001, while already in prison, Shigenobu announced the dissolution of the Japanese Red Army, recognizing that the organization could no longer continue its activities in its previous form.
Despite the official dissolution of the JRA, some members continued terrorist activities under new banners. One such group was Rentai, which later changed its name to "Movement Rentai." The new organization adopted some of the JRA's ideology and methods, attempting to continue the fight for a communist revolution. Although Rentai did not achieve the same scale and notoriety as the JRA, it still posed a threat and served as a reminder of the past actions of its predecessor.
The JRA in Film
If you're interested in the topic of the Japanese Red Army, I encourage you to explore it through various films – propaganda, fiction, and documentaries. Here are some:
▪ Sekigun – PFLP. Sekai Sensō Sengen
(Red Army – PFLP: Declaration of World War, 1971)
A propaganda film shot on location in Lebanon, produced by Kōji Wakamatsu. Patricia Steinhoff translates its title as "Manifesto for World Revolution," which better captures its meaning. It is a film aimed at JRA sympathizers in Japan.
▪ United Red Army
(Jitsuroku Rengō Sekigun, Asama sansō e no michi, 2007)
This film depicts the horrors of the United Red Army winter camp, as well as the history of the Japanese student movement. It provides an insightful look at the brutality and ideology that fueled the JRA's activities. Also, see the film "United Red Army."
▪ Once Upon A Time... Red Soldier
(Suatu Ketika... Soldadu Merah)
An eight-episode Malaysian television series based on the JRA attack in Kuala Lumpur in 1975. Produced by NSK Productions (Malaysia), the series was filmed in 2009.
▪ Children of the Revolution (2010)
Fusako Shigenobu and Masao Adachi are featured in this documentary, which tells the story of Shigenobu and the JRA from the perspective of Mei Shigenobu. The film presents the personal and political aspects of the JRA's activities.
▪ The Young Man Was, Part 1: United Red Army (2011)
A Bangladeshi film directed by visual artist Naeem Mohaiemen, recounting the hijacking of JAL 472 in 1977 and its aftermath in Bangladesh.
▪ Ahmad the Japanese, Lod-Roumié-Tokyo (1999)
A documentary by Rabih El-Amine telling the story of Okamoto from the perspective of five key figures who knew him in Beirut.
Conclusion
The Japanese Red Army (JRA) was one of the most controversial and brutal terrorist organizations of the 20th century. Its actions, motivated by Marxist-Leninist ideology and the pursuit of a global communist revolution, shook not only Japan but the entire world. The JRA was responsible for numerous bombings, hijackings, and other acts of terror aimed at destabilizing governments and causing chaos.
The reception of the JRA by society was extremely negative. Most Japanese were shocked and terrified by the brutality of the organization's actions. Their attacks were condemned by both the government and ordinary citizens who sought peace and stability in the difficult post-war years. The JRA was seen as a threat to public safety and national stability.
Despite the passage of time and the official dissolution of the JRA in 2001, there are still those who remember the organization with a certain sentiment. Supporters of the JRA often view its members as revolutionaries who fought against injustice and imperialism. They believe that although the methods were brutal, the goals were noble and aimed at improving the social and political situation worldwide. In their eyes, the JRA was a symbol of resistance and the fight for equality.
Nonetheless, for the majority of society, the JRA remains a dark chapter in Japan's history, a reminder of how extremism and violence can lead to tragic consequences. The actions of the JRA serve as a warning against radicalism and highlight the importance of pursuing social change through peaceful means and dialogue, rather than violence and terror.
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"Strong Japanese Women"
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未開 ソビエライ
An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)
Personal motto:
"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)
Mike Soray
(aka Michał Sobieraj)
未開 ソビエライ
An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)
Personal motto:
"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)
Mike Soray
(aka Michał Sobieraj)
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