Japan witnesses a surge of MAGA‑style anti‑globalist politics
b>Japan’s Lower House Swings Up the “Japanese First” Sanseito
In Sunday’s upper‑house ballot, the five‑year‑old Sanseito party jumped from a modest two seats to a noticeable fifteen. While the LDP‑led coalition of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba fell short of a majority, voters kept their eyes on a populist agenda that mirrors the rhetoric of Donald Trump, Germany’s AfD and Nigel Farage’s Reform.
b>Key Pillars of the Sanseito Platform
- b>Stricter immigration rules
- b>Fewer foreign investments
- b>Opposition to “globalism” and radical gender policies
- b>Reassessment of decarbonisation, vaccines and pesticide‑free agriculture
Sohei Kamiya, a 47‑year‑old former teacher turned supermarket manager, reminds readers that the party’s roots lie in YouTube, promising a “people‑first” government. He early this year claimed that unchecked foreign influence would slow wages, yet he reiterated that Sanseito is not dedicated to expelling migrants.
b>Voter Concerns and Social Media Myths
Surveys illustrate that the electorate is less worried about immigration than about inflation, job security and the economy. Nevertheless, Sanseito’s narrative labels newcomers as “cheap labour,” blaming them for rising crime, property prices and reckless driving. Kamiya said it was “fine” for foreign visitors but warned that prolonged immigration would depress Japanese wages. He noted the party remained “non‑exclusionary.”
Meanwhile fact‑checking efforts debunked false posts claiming foreigners owe almost $3 billion in medical bills or that Chinese residents on welfare doubled in five years. At a campaign rally in front of Tokyo’s Shinagawa station, one voter, an IT worker on a precarious short‑term contract, confessed that the party’s messaging resonated with her frustrations about debt, subsidies for foreign students and the disparities between foreigners and Japanese.
b>Moscow’s Digital Footprint
Japanese research indicates that Russian bot accounts, now enhanced by AI‑based translation, have facilitated “large‑scale information manipulation.” Erstwhile anti‑Russian sentiments grew temperate, as Kamiya acknowledged Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict but attributed the triggers to U.S. forces. He denied any pro‑Russian stance, despite his party’s candidate appearing on Russian state media.
b>Government Response and Rising Xenophobia
Responding to the Sanseito surge, the LDP pledged to aim for “zero illegal foreign nationals,” proposing tighter immigration and residency management. In contrast, eight NGOs—backed by more than 1,000 groups—issued a joint statement warning that the rise of xenophobic narratives was “unfounded demagoguery.”
Hidehiro Yamamoto, professor at the University of Tsukuba, argues that the LDP’s “catch‑all” strategy—that balances urban lower‑middle‑class residents, rural farmers, and small‑to‑medium enterprises—has historically kept populism at bay. He doubts Sanseito’s longevity, contending that the party’s fortunes hinge on a fleeting mood and may not endure beyond the current wave of discontent.
b>Key Takeaways
- b>Sanseito’s rapid growth signals rising appetite for nationalist policies.
- b>Public concerns remain focused on economic issues, though immigration narratives persist.
- b>Digital misinformation, including Russian bot activity, complicates the political landscape.
- b>Political stability may hinge on the LDP’s ability to mediate between populist desires and mainstream policymaking.
