Which of these two sets of opposing forces will have the upper hand
in future, no one can say. One scenario would have Japan become more
internationalized and less oriented toward Nihonjinron. The other would
forecast a more conservative Japan increasingly favorably oriented toward
Nihonjinron. Still a third scenario would see both trends continue, with
increasingly divergent and polarized public opinion, where conservatives
in the establishment upholding tenets of Nihonjinron will continue to
guard the establishment while the liberals, disenchanted with Nihonjinron,
will gain in nrunerical force without being able to capture political power.*