logo
Sanseito's ‘Japanese First' gains traction amid concerns over immigration, economy

Sanseito's ‘Japanese First' gains traction amid concerns over immigration, economy

The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in
Japan 's upper house election on Sunday, gaining support with warnings of a 'silent invasion' of immigrants, and pledges for tax cuts and welfare spending.
Advertisement
Birthed on YouTube during the
Covid-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party broke into mainstream politics with its 'Japanese First' campaign.
The party won 14 seats, according to public broadcaster NHK, adding to the single lawmaker it secured in the 248-seat chamber three years ago. It has only three seats in the more powerful lower house.
'The phrase Japanese First was meant to express rebuilding Japanese people's livelihoods by resisting globalism. I am not saying that we should completely ban foreigners or that every foreigner should get out of Japan,' Sohei Kamiya, the party's 47-year-old leader, said in an interview with local broadcaster Nippon Television after the election.
Sanseito supporters during the party's election campaign tour at Shiba Park in Tokyo on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Prime Minister
Shigeru Ishiba 's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the upper house, leaving them further beholden to opposition support following a lower house defeat in October.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump eyes autumn China trip, but September visit off the table: sources
Trump eyes autumn China trip, but September visit off the table: sources

South China Morning Post

time7 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Trump eyes autumn China trip, but September visit off the table: sources

US President Donald Trump is keen to visit China but a September visit is not happening, according to sources, who said Beijing and Washington were working to secure a trip in October or November. Hurdles remain, but high-level officials 'share a consensus', sources familiar with the matter told the South China Morning Post. Media reports earlier said that China planned to invite Trump to the Victory Parade in Beijing on September 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. With September now off the table, Trump might visit China before heading to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in South Korea, or he could meet Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the event between October 30 and November 1, according to sources. Sources also described the Kuala Lumpur meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his US counterpart Marco Rubio earlier this month as 'better than expected'. It was the first in-person engagement between the respective top diplomats – an essential step before any leader-level summit can occur – and both sides praised the meeting as 'positive'. Another person familiar with the discussions said there was a possibility of a meeting later this year, with two options under consideration: Trump could either visit China for bilateral talks before heading to the Apec summit, or attend Apec first and then travel to Beijing.

Now is the time for a change in the mindset on LGBTQ rights
Now is the time for a change in the mindset on LGBTQ rights

South China Morning Post

time8 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

Now is the time for a change in the mindset on LGBTQ rights

The freedom to use a suitable public toilet is a human right we can all relate to. Most of us know whether to use a washroom for women or 'gents'. But for transgender people in Hong Kong, the issue can be deeply troubling. Many face a dilemma when using toilets managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. They are required to choose one that corresponds to the sex stated on their identity card, often their gender at birth. Those making the difficult transition to the opposite gender might have to use a women's toilet when looking and dressing like a man, or vice versa. Many are so uncomfortable they don't use public conveniences at all. This unsatisfactory position must now change, with a High Court ruling last week declaring laws making it a criminal offence to use the 'wrong' FEHD toilet unconstitutional. Mr Justice Russell Coleman struck the regulations down, finding them to breach equality and privacy rights. He suspended his ruling for a year, giving the government time to find a solution. The case may seem trivial, but it is of great importance to the transgender community and raises the sensitive question of precisely when, during the transition, a person should be treated as having their acquired gender? Litigant K, who was born female but identified as male from an early age, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017. K undertook hormonal treatment and the 'real life experience' of consistently living as a man. An integral part of that process is using public toilets for men. Gender dysphoria is a medical condition that causes much distress and discomfort. It is a biological condition rather than a lifestyle choice, said the judge.

China calls for global AI centre to reverse ‘fragmented trend' as US tech rivalry deepens
China calls for global AI centre to reverse ‘fragmented trend' as US tech rivalry deepens

South China Morning Post

time13 hours ago

  • South China Morning Post

China calls for global AI centre to reverse ‘fragmented trend' as US tech rivalry deepens

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for the establishment of an international centre to better coordinate global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) and address the current 'fragmented trend'. The move comes as China looks to expand its influence in the new but rapidly evolving sector amid a bitter tech competition with the United States. Opening the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on Saturday, Li said: 'Currently, global AI governance is showing a fragmented trend overall, particularly with significant differences among nations in regulatory approaches, institutional frameworks and rules. 'We should enhance coordination and alignment to establish a widely accepted global governance framework for AI at an early date.' Top AI scholars as well as industrial representatives from China and around the world are attending the three-day event in the Chinese financial and commercial capital. Li's proposal comes days after the US announced its own blueprint on AI development. The White House policy framework released on Wednesday aims to bolster American AI dominance through deregulation, infrastructure investment and expanding AI exports to allies in the technological arms race with China, described by President Donald Trump as a fight that will define the 21st century.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store