The was an elite para-military youth branch of the Taisei Yokusankai political party of wartime Empire of Japan established in January 1942, and based on the model of the German Sturmabteilung (stormtroopers). In addition to its civil defence and para-military role, the Yokusan Sonendan was also tasked with assisting the local tonarigumi organizations and the Kempeitai in watching for any signs of subversive ideologies in their local areas and reporting any anti-war or anti-government activities.