Sanseito Rising: How History and Identity Fueled a Political Breakthrough

Japan Forward

4 days ago

In the Upper House election held on July 20, a newly emerged political party called Sanseito made a significant breakthrough, securing 14 seats.
At the same time, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito fell short of a combined total of 50 seats, losing their majority in the chamber. It was a setback following their 2024 Lower House election defeat.
Sanseito's success was a key factor behind the loss of the LDP's majority. It fielded candidates in all 45 constituencies. The party's success warrants closer examination.
A fundamental reason for Sanseito's rise, I believe, is rooted in the historical perspective shared by its candidates.
Party leader Shohei Kamiya held left-leaning views until high school. However, his outlook expanded significantly during an eight-month backpacking trip through 18 countries when he took a year off in his junior year in college.
Like many conservative activists, Kamiya was raised in a conservative family and embraced leftist ideology during his school years. His experiences abroad, however, led him to break away from it and rediscover Japanese history.
Kamiya's YouTube channel, CGS (Channel Grand Strategy), has been carrying serious history lessons through courses taught by Mitsuru Kurayama and Takeo Saito.
Building on the momentum of these study sessions, Sanseito, established in 2020, has uniquely emphasized the importance of taking pride in Japanese history. It's an approach no other political party has adopted.
The party's slogan, "Japanese First," was undoubtedly a key factor in their electoral success. During the campaign, treatment targeting foreigners in Japan unexpectedly became a key issue.
For instance, a Chinese national who does not pay resident tax in Japan could start a business in Tokyo and receive an unsecured loan of ¥15 million JPY. They could even be approved for welfare benefits within just three days of arriving in the country. Sohei Kamiya, at the Japan National Press Club. Tokyo, July 2 (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai).
Some paid health insurance premiums for only a short period, yet still received expensive medical treatment. In scholarship programs, foreign students were often given preference over Japanese students.
Other growing concerns included the purchase of land by foreigners, the Kurdish issue, and the negative effects of overtourism.
Existing political parties were reluctant to address these topics, which led to growing frustration and a sense of helplessness among the Japanese public.
As such, "Japanese First" resonated deeply with the Japanese public. It struck a powerful chord with voters.
Before the campaign began, Sanseito's low approval ratings for candidates in individual districts indicated their chances of winning were slim.
However, once the campaign got underway, their approval ratings surged, with some candidates even becoming strong contenders in their constituencies. This phenomenon was observed across many parts of Japan, clearly demonstrating the impact of the candidates' messages. Sanseito candidates Mizuho Umemura (left) and Saya (from Saya's X account)
What made the candidates of this political party so persuasive? Their boldness in addressing taboo topics set them apart, earning attention and support from voters seeking voices that truly speak to their hopes and concerns.
Overall, the candidates are young, share the struggles of working-age parents raising children, and connect their policies directly to the realities of everyday life. These qualities deeply resonated with the constituents.
But that is not the whole story. The Sanseito has a grassroots community organization, and its study groups for members were far more extensive than those of other parties. With a foundation rooted in a historical perspective that took pride in their country's past, their candidates delivered speeches with genuine conviction and depth, rather than relying on rehearsed talking points.
The party also made education a top policy priority and was steadily addressing the issue of history textbooks. I will introduce its activities based on my involvement. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya speaks to the press. July 3, Chuo Ward, Tokyo (©Sankei by Shinpei Okuhara)
In 2024, Japan conducted its once-every-four-years adoption of junior high school textbooks. During this period, Sanseito's Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly members made notable efforts.
In each of their respective districts, they organized numerous study sessions, both large and small, focused on the issues of history textbooks and textbook adoption. I was personally involved in nearly ten of these meetings.
Furthermore, Sanseito's local councilors held a press conference to express their commitment to the textbook adoption process. While some members of other parties cooperated individually, no other party worked with the same level of coordination and dedication as the Sanseito. Tsukuru Kai's inaugural press conference in 1996 at the Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu. 78 individuals endorsed the group at the event. (©Tsukuru Kai)
The Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (Tsukuru-kai) organized a study tour to Hitachiomiya City in Ibaraki Prefecture. Its public school board was the only one in Japan to adopt the Jiyusha textbook. [Editor's note: The Jiyusha textbook is a history and civics textbook published by Tsukuru-kai]
Of the 40 participants on the tour bus, half were local council members, many affiliated with the Sanseito's regional branches. Textbook adoption ultimately hinges on regional government. I envision a future where a young councilor from the Sanseito earns the trust of their community, rises to become chief within five to ten years, and leads the adoption of these textbooks.
Author: Nobukatsu Fujioka
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