Abstract
In Japan, particularly since the Koizumi cabinet, policies based on Neoliberalism have been being implemented. As a result, there are reports of the deepening of deflation in the economy, the widening of the gap in the society and the weakening of national strength and other negative effects on the society. As a democratic country, the level of acceptance by the nation affects policy decisions in Japan. Thus, the purpose of this study is the empirical analysis of supporting attitudes towards Neoliberalism and its determinant, especially ressentiment against public body such as politicians or bureaucrats. First, we defined the idea of “ressentiment” according to M. Scheler, and developed a hypothesis that the resentment against public body effect the supporting attitudes toward Neoliberalism. Secondly, we performed questionnaire survey and Structural Equation Modelling to test this hypothesis. As a result, it was suggested that the ressentiment against public body exists in Japan and this enhances the supporting attitude towards Neoliberalism. It was further suggested that the results of Neoliberal policies could widen the gap in the society and the social structure with the widening gap may escalate the ressentiment. This suggests the existence of a spiral of deepening Neoliberalism and resentment in society.
