Red Army of Japan. A terrorist organization that existed for more than three decades

Red Army of Japan (Japanese Red Army, or JRA) — is one of the most famous terrorist organizations of the late 20th century, operating in Japan and beyond from 1971 to 2001. It became synonymous with radical left-wing movements, fighters for a socialist revolution, and left a deep mark on the history of Japanese terrorism and international politics at the time.

The Japanese Red Army was established in 1971 Soichiti Nakayema and Fumikado Yamakawa. The organization arose against the background of the radicalization of the political situation in Japan in the 1960s and 1970s, when a wave of protests spilled over the country, engulfing universities, left-wing radical groups and labor movements. The young Japanese, inspired by the ideas of Maoism and Marxism, decided to fight for a socialist revolution through violent methods.

The Red Army's goal was not only to establish a communist system in Japan, but also to promote a worldwide revolution, including support for movements such as Vietnam War and the struggle with imperialist states, primarily the USA.

In its activities, the Red Army of Japan actively used terrorism, in particular explosions, attacks on embassies, rebellion and kidnapping. They also practiced aircraft capture i terrorist attacks.

She became one of the most famous actions taking hostages in 1977, on board a plane flying from Bangkok to Tokyo. Members of the organization demanded the release of their compatriots who were imprisoned in Japan for participating in terrorist actions. This became a symbol of the methods they used to achieve their political goals.

The Japanese Red Army also supported international terrorist organizations, including Palestine Liberation Front (PFLP). In 1972, the organization organized an attack on Lod Airport in Tel Aviv, as a result of which more than 20 people died and dozens were injured.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Japanese Red Army cooperated with other left-wing extremist groups, in particular Palestine Liberation Front (PFLP) and Libyan Arab People's Jamahiriya under the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi. The Japanese organization received financial support and resources to conduct its operations.

One of the biggest joint actions was the seizure of a Japanese passenger plane in 1977, when the Japanese Red Army, together with Palestinian militants, forced the plane to change course and head for Beirut.

The Japanese Red Army was active not only in Japan, but also outside of Japan, particularly in countries such as Lebanon, Iran i Palestine. They repeatedly tried to carry out terrorist acts at the international level, which caused a great resonance in diplomatic circles.

Noted terrorist acts were numerous bombings in Japanese embassies around the world, as well as the organization of actions on international planes.

By the 1990s, the Japanese Red Army, like many other radical leftist groups, began to lose its popularity. In the conditions of globalization and changes in world politics, her ideas became less attractive for new generations. In addition, active repression by the Japanese authorities and the international fight against terrorism contributed to the weakening of the organization.

In 2001, the Japanese Red Army officially ceased its activities. The last members of the group found themselves affected by internal divisions and global changes in the political landscape.

The Japanese Red Army has left a visible mark on the history of Japanese terrorism and radical movements. Although the organization no longer exists, its actions have contributed to the development of terrorist tactics and become part of the global struggle between revolutionary ideas and state order.

Over time, it has become the object of careful study in the context of world terrorism, which has helped to better understand how radical groups can influence the political situation both within states and in the global dimension.

The Red Army of Japan is a story about terrorism, revolutionary fanaticism and the desire to change the world, even through violence. She remained an example of radicalism that did not take into account humanistic principles and called for a fight to the last.