Japanese Election Shaken by Anti-Immigrant Party's Rise

A new political group, Sanseito, is making waves ahead of Japan’s upper house election on July 20, tapping into public worries about a growing number of immigrants.

Led by the 47-year-old Sohei Kamiya, the party’s “Japanese First” message is sparking heated debate, pushing anti-foreigner views from the sidelines into the spotlight, Reuters reports.

Sanseito started on YouTube during the pandemic, initially spreading ideas about vaccine conspiracies and global elites. Now, it’s focusing on economic struggles and the presence of 3.8 million foreign residents—still only 3% of Japan’s population.

Kamiya argues that a weak economy, a falling yen, and a tourism boom are driving up costs, hitting everyday Japanese hard. “The LDP and Komeito can’t just stay quiet if they want to hold onto their voters,” he told, taking aim at Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition.

• Japan’s Sanseito Party Gains Ground with Anti-Immigration Stance Ahead of Election
• Anti-Foreigner Rhetoric Shakes Japan’s Upper House Race as Sanseito Rises
• Sanseito’s ‘Japan First’ Message Sparks Controversy Ahead of July 20 Vote

Surveys show Sanseito might win 10 to 15 of the 125 seats up for grabs, a small but notable gain that could further dent Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), already weakened after losing its lower house majority last year. The LDP and its ally, Komeito, are under fire as people grow frustrated with rising prices and a political fundraising scandal.

To address these concerns, the government set up a new office on July 15 to tackle issues tied to foreigners, like crime and over-tourism. The LDP has also floated tougher rules on foreign driver’s licenses and property purchases, showing they’re feeling the pressure from voters.

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Human rights groups have called Sanseito’s rhetoric hate speech, criticizing its push for loyalty tests and limits on foreigners’ access to benefits. Kamiya insists he’s not promoting hate, just putting Japan first. As the country faces an aging population and worker shortages, Sanseito’s rise highlights a growing tension over immigration, challenging Japan’s traditionally uniform society and setting up a fiery election.