Which is superior, “left” or “right”?

Hirokazu Kobayashi

CEO, Green Insight Japan, Inc.

Professor Emeritus and Visiting Professor, University of Shizuoka

As the Upper House election in Japan enters its final stages, one of the main points of contention in the policies being promoted by each political party is the distinction between “left” and “right.” The following response from ChatGPT4o (OpenAI) is useful as a starting point for discussion on this topic.

Table: Traditional political spectrum: Left-wing vs right-wing

Although not included above, the “left” and “right” axes can be more clearly understood as “idealism” and “realism.” Additionally, the “tax increase faction (austerity)” and “tax reduction faction (expansionary fiscal policy)” axis can also be cited. In the debate over tax increases, there is an argument that consumption taxes are necessary for social security and eliminating the national debt. However, this argument does not present accurate financial analysis results and instead seems to vaguely stoke public anxiety. Furthermore, how would one counter the “Laffer Effect,” which suggests that tax cuts stimulate the economy and lead to increased tax revenues?

Now, “left wing” and “right wing” are also used in English. Upon investigation, these terms are foreign concepts rather than Japanese originals. They appear to have been first used in Japan during the Taisho era. During the French Revolution, the seating arrangements in the National Assembly of 1789 became symbolically significant. Those advocating for the king’s right to veto legislation and for a bicameral legislature—including an upper house representing the nobility—were seated on the “right” side of the Speaker. In contrast, those opposing the royal veto and supporting a unicameral system—excluding a house of nobles—sat on the “left”. This historical alignment is said to be the origin of the modern terms "right-wing" (conservative) and "left-wing" (progressive or revolutionary).

In relation to government, the terms “left” and “right” were represented by “left minister” and “right minister” in Japan after the seventh century. Which is higher in rank? The left minister. Incidentally, we say “left and right,” but we don't write “right and left” in Japanese. However, in colloquial speech, “migi (right)” and “hidari (left)” are also used. On the other hand, words that indicate “right” as superior in Japanese include “one’s right-hand man” for one’s most capable collaborator, “there is nobody go ahead through one’s right side” when there is no one better than that guy,” and “a saying kept at one’s right” for one’s motto.” Additionally, there is the term sasen (左遷), meaning “left demotion,” which implies that “left” is inferior and “right” is superior. In conclusion, the hierarchical relationship between the "left" and "right" is complex and unpredictable.

Why? In ancient China, from the Zhou dynasty (ca. 1045 BC=BCE) through the Former Han (Western Han) dynasty (ending 8 AD=CE), the “right side was regarded as superior” in official rank—for example, a "Right General" outranked a "Left General." However, from the Later Han (Eastern Han) dynasty onward (from 25 CE),“the left came to be considered superior”, as seen in positions such as "Left Assistant Director (Zuo Pushe)" ranking above "Right Assistant Director (You Pushe)." The idea that “right ranks above left” also appears in Western traditions (as discussed later). The Japanese term sasen (literally “left transfer” or “demotion to the left”)—meaning demotion or exile—first appears in the Book of Han (Hanshu), compiled in the Eastern Han period. Since this was a time when the transition from "right-superior" to "left-superior" was taking place, it seems plausible that the term sasen reflects the older value system where the “right was still considered superior”. The notion of "left as superior" is rooted in the ancient Chinese “south-facing ideology (南面思想).” According to the classical dictum “The Son of Heaven faces south”, the emperor would sit facing south, with his left hand pointing east, the direction of the rising sun. Thus, “east—and by extension, left—came to symbolize superiority”. This symbolic hierarchy also influenced the Japanese ritsuryō system, in which the Minister of the Left (Sadaijin) outranked the Minister of the Right (Udaijin), and the Left Imperial Guard held precedence over the Right Imperial Guard.

On the other hand, in Latin, “right” is “dexter” (skillful, good) → English “dexterity,” and “left” is “sinister” (unlucky) → English “sinister.” The English word “right” also has the meanings of “correct” and “entitlement.” In Christianity's “Last Judgment,” good people are depicted on God's right side and evil people on the left. In Islam, the right is considered “pure” and the left “impure.” In the East, there is a “south-facing ideology” that values nature. On the other hand, in the West, where right-handed people are in the majority, the concepts of “right = superior” and “left = inferior” are thought to have originated. In other words, it is believed that Western culture is based on “human-centered ideology,” while Eastern culture is based on “south-facing ideology” that values nature. The concept of “right superiority” in China before the Han Dynasty may have originated naturally, but it is also possible that the Zhou Dynasty had contact with Western nomadic peoples who held similar beliefs. “Left and right” are opposing axes of the human body, and various concepts have been formed based on this. Although there are differences between “left superiority” and “right superiority,” the value system that views “left and right” as opposing axes can be said to be common to all of humanity.