Japan's quiet reckoning with fringe xenophobia and immigration anxiety
The issue of foreigners in Japan was a hot topic in
Sunday's Upper House election . It was a race where the populist right-wing Sanseito party, running on a Japan First agenda, emerged as one of the biggest winners with 14 more seats. The lead up to the election saw mass media fuel discussion of the controversial issue of foreigners.
But xenophobia did not win. Parties in favour of immigration, like the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, maintained their 38 seats in the Upper House election.
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CNA
12 hours ago
- CNA
Commentary: The far-right rises in Japan, but will it endure?
PERTH: Japan's Upper House election on Jul 20 was about more than Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's ruling coalition losing its majority, and whether he will now resign. It signalled a new phase in Japanese politics, with the 'Japanese First' Sanseito party emerging as a major victor. What was once a fringe sentiment expressed by a few conservatives has now taken centre stage. A defining feature of the election was the politicisation of foreigner-related issues, led by Sanseito's aggressive campaign to revise government policies that have allowed a 'silent invasion'. This hardline stance forced other parties to address the topic, making immigration policy a central issue. This marked a stark contrast to the Lower House election just months earlier, when the emphasis was on expanding foreign labour recruitment. Sanseito now has 14 seats in the 248-seat chamber, up from just one that it secured three years prior. It now holds enough seats to independently submit legislation in the Upper House, except for budget Bills. TAPPING INTO PUBLIC ANXIETIES Immigration has long been a sensitive issue in a rapidly ageing Japan facing chronic labour shortages, though the growing unease is also about overtourism. It comes at a time when the country reported both a record number of foreign residents (3.77 million as of the end of 2024) and a record number of tourists (21.51 million in the first half of 2025). Sanseito openly advocates for stopping welfare benefits to foreigners, restricting their hiring and enforcing stricter cultural conformity – even proposing a system to 'check the loyalty' of foreigners. These exclusionary narratives have gained traction by tapping into public anxieties, particularly those driven by economic hardship and social uncertainty. Such rhetoric has created a distorted sense of crisis, suggesting that Japan is being 'overrun' by foreigners and is somehow losing its national identity. In reality, Japan's foreign residents – roughly one in every 33 people – are vital contributors to society. They pay taxes, work in critical industries and help maintain essential public services. Blaming them for the country's challenges is not only factually wrong but also dangerously divisive. The party's rise has not come without controversy. Sanseito has been widely criticised for spreading misinformation. Fact-checking initiatives by media outlets intensified during the election, with many articles flagged as misinformation focused on claims relating foreigners to crime or preferential treatment. BEHIND THE SURGE So, who are the voters behind Sanseito's surge? The answer lies partly in changing voter demographics. While the ruling coalition suffered heavy losses, parties like Sanseito gained significant ground – especially among younger voters. Turnout increased most notably among people in their 20s to 40s, while elderly participation remained flat. This generational shift helped fuel Sanseito's rise. Its success can also be attributed to its savvy digital election strategy. Survey data suggests that those who favoured Sanseito were heavily influenced by video-sharing sites and social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and often harboured deep distrust of traditional media and government institutions. This made them more inclined to shift political allegiance – an opening Sanseito was quick to exploit. The party dominated online search trends and amassed over 100 million views on YouTube. In this election, voter turnout reached levels high enough to impact the outcome, particularly among new participants mobilised through social media platforms. Estimates suggest this group may have accounted for 3 to 5 million votes, a large portion of which likely went to Sanseito. IS JAPAN HEADED DOWN FAR-RIGHT PATH? Against this backdrop, the national debate over immigration and identity is intensifying. Why has the issue of foreign residents become such a political flashpoint now? It is a pivotal moment for Japan to seriously reflect on the benefits and challenges of immigration – and to consider what kind of society it wants to be. Whether 'Japanese First' takes the same shape as 'America First' or whether Sanseito will follow in the footsteps of far-right parties in Europe like Alternative for Germany or Reform UK remains to be seen. Sanseito has tapped into a similar economic anxiety and public frustration to attract protest votes against the political establishment. Unlike European 'immigration nations', however, Japan has consistently rejected the notion of adopting a formal immigration policy. Successive prime ministers have emphasised that the acceptance of foreign workers is a labour policy – not an integration strategy. The foreign resident population also remains relatively low at about 3 per cent in Japan – compared to the European Union, where 6.4 per cent of residents were non-EU citizens as of January 2024. Japan is unlikely to face the deep polarisation seen in parts of Europe. Despite the LDP-Komeito coalition losing its Upper House majority, potential alliances with other conservative parties, such as the Democratic Party for the People and Nippon Ishin, suggest continued political stability. As in Europe, where populist parties have often moderated once in power, Sanseito's true direction will become clearer in parliamentary deliberations. Although sweeping policy changes are unlikely in the short term, symbolic shifts are already evident. Even before the latest election, the Democratic Party for the People and Nippon Ishin re-submitted a Bill to regulate land acquisitions by foreigners. The Ministry of Education recently excluded international students from a major research grant programme, responding to concerns that they made up 40 per cent of recipients. While these moves may not immediately impact daily life, they signal a growing exclusionary undercurrent that could subtly but significantly reshape Japan's foreigner-related policies. But one thing is clear: If exclusionary politics continue to gain ground, Japan risks eroding its longstanding identity as a peaceful and inclusive society. Building consensus across diverse views and backgrounds is the only viable path forward for Japan's future.
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- AsiaOne
YouTube generation propels Japan's anti-foreigner politics into the mainstream, Asia News
TOKYO — Yuta Kato is increasingly annoyed by foreigners ignorant of Japan's social etiquette, whether that involves blocking the streets near his work in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district or distracting commuters by playing loud videos on their phones. The 38-year-old hairdresser is among a growing number of Japanese voters drawn to the right-wing Sanseito party, whose warnings about foreigners helped it establish a strong foothold in an upper house election on Sunday (July 20). "It is not about discrimination, it's just like, why don't they notice?" said Kato, who, like many Sanseito supporters, obtains his information from YouTube and other social media sites, a space the party has utilised to amplify its "Japanese First" message. Japan's foreign-born residents account for just three per cent of the total population, a fraction of the corresponding proportion in the United States and Europe, but record numbers of tourists in recent years have made foreigners more visible in major cities. While Sanseito largely avoids identifying specific immigrant groups, Romeo Marcantuoni, a Tokyo-based academic who has studied the party, said it taps into latent concerns ranging from badly-behaved tourists to conspiracy theories about sneaking Chinese influence. Kato said he believes the Chinese, the biggest cohort of foreign residents in Japan and among the largest visitor groups, are quietly taking over the country. Chinese are also often the focal point for anti-immigrant rhetoric propagated online. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and other party lawmakers and candidates have raised concerns about Chinese buying up land and resources in Japan. One of the party's policies listed on its website is to "stop the silent invasion of Japan by foreign forces". The party did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Kamiya has previously denied criticism that it is xenophobic. Sanseito is most popular among 18 to 39-year-olds, with men favouring the party more than women, according to a poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK, a trend increasingly seen among support for right-wing parties in democracies worldwide. In contrast, support for Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which lost its majority in Sunday's election, is deepest among those aged over 70 with no clear gender divide, the NHK poll showed. Sanseito's presence online has given them visibility among younger voters that the LDP has struggled to reach, Kato said. The party's official YouTube channel has three times as many followers as the LDP's, with engagement in their content far higher than other parties, a study by Asahi newspaper found. "They are the party of YouTube," said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies who has authored a book on right-wing politics in Japan. YouTube did not respond to emails seeking comment on Sanseito's use of the platform. On its community guidelines page, YouTube says it closely monitors content and removes videos it deems to promote "harmful or dangerous behaviour". Broader appeal Birthed during the Covid-19 pandemic when they spread conspiracy theories about vaccinations, Sanseito has broadened its appeal with its tough immigration policies and pledges to help households struggling with rising prices. It also wants to scrap Japan's pacifist constitution and restore the Emperor's authority, fringe ideas promoted by other right-wing groups that regularly drive around Japan's cities in black trucks blaring imperial-era military songs. While that megaphone politics has long been largely ignored by the Japanese, Sanseito has set its sights on emulating the successes of other far-right groups in Europe, such as Germany's AfD and Britain's Reform UK. At a rally held outside Tokyo's bustling Shimbashi train station on Monday, crowds clapped and cheered some of Sanseito's newly elected lawmakers. "They're going to get things done," said Eriko Harada, 47, a housewife wearing a kimono and a headband emblazoned with the words 'Samurai Spirit', who said she voted for the first time this year. Sanseito's rise has sparked a backlash by those who fear the party is normalising xenophobia. Monday's rally attracted dozens of protesters who tried to drown out the speakers. "It is people falling for lies and displacing their frustrations — economic hardship, political alienation — onto others," said Miroko Kato, a 42-year-old haiku poet among the protestors. "We're here to say: we're watching you!" [[nid:720418]]
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
YouTube generation propels Japan's anti-foreigner politics into the mainstream
Japan's Sanseito party leader Sohei Kamiya delivers a speech during the party's rally in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2025, a day after the upper house election. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo TOKYO - Yuta Kato is increasingly annoyed by foreigners ignorant of Japan's social etiquette, whether that involves blocking the streets near his work in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district or distracting commuters by playing loud videos on their phones. The 38-year-old hairdresser is among a growing number of Japanese voters drawn to the right-wing Sanseito party, whose warnings about foreigners helped it establish a strong foothold in an upper house election on Sunday. "It is not about discrimination, it's just like, why don't they notice?" said Kato, who, like many Sanseito supporters, obtains his information from YouTube and other social media sites, a space the party has utilised to amplify its "Japanese First" message. Japan's foreign-born residents account for just 3% of the total population, a fraction of the corresponding proportion in the United States and Europe, but record numbers of tourists in recent years have made foreigners more visible in major cities. While Sanseito largely avoids identifying specific immigrant groups, Romeo Marcantuoni, a Tokyo-based academic who has studied the party, said it taps into latent concerns ranging from badly-behaved tourists to conspiracy theories about sneaking Chinese influence. Kato said he believes the Chinese, the biggest cohort of foreign residents in Japan and among the largest visitor groups, are quietly taking over the country. Chinese are also often the focal point for anti-immigrant rhetoric propagated online. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and other party lawmakers and candidates have raised concerns about Chinese buying up land and resources in Japan. One of the party's policies listed on its website is to "stop the silent invasion of Japan by foreign forces". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Singapore Etomidate found in blood of 2 people involved in fatal Punggol Road accident in May: HSA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Business Microsoft Singapore managing director Lee Hui Li dies while on sabbatical Singapore Private residential home prices up 1 per cent in Q2: URA Life Navigating tight carparks in bigger and bigger cars Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly The party did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Kamiya has previously denied criticism that it is xenophobic. Sanseito is most popular among 18 to 39-year-olds, with men favouring the party more than women, according to a poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK, a trend increasingly seen among support for right-wing parties in democracies worldwide. In contrast, support for Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which lost its majority in Sunday's election, is deepest among those aged over 70 with no clear gender divide, the NHK poll showed. Sanseito's presence online has given them visibility among younger voters that the LDP has struggled to reach, Kato said. The party's official YouTube channel has three times as many followers as the LDP's, with engagement in their content far higher than other parties, a study by Asahi newspaper found. "They are the party of YouTube," said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies who has authored a book on right-wing politics in Japan. YouTube did not respond to emails seeking comment on Sanseito's use of the platform. On its community guidelines page, YouTube says it closely monitors content and removes videos it deems to promote "harmful or dangerous behavior". BROADER APPEAL Birthed during the COVID-19 pandemic when they spread conspiracy theories about vaccinations, Sanseito has broadened its appeal with its tough immigration policies and pledges to help households struggling with rising prices. It also wants to scrap Japan's pacifist constitution and restore the Emperor's authority, fringe ideas promoted by other right-wing groups that regularly drive around Japan's cities in black trucks blaring imperial-era military songs. While that megaphone politics has long been largely ignored by the Japanese, Sanseito has set its sights on emulating the successes of other far-right groups in Europe, such as Germany's AfD and Britain's Reform UK. At a rally held outside Tokyo's bustling Shimbashi train station on Monday, crowds clapped and cheered some of Sanseito's newly elected lawmakers. "They're going to get things done," said Eriko Harada, 47, a housewife wearing a kimono and a headband emblazoned with the words 'Samurai Spirit', who said she voted for the first time this year. Sanseito's rise has sparked a backlash by those who fear the party is normalising xenophobia. Monday's rally attracted dozens of protesters who tried to drown out the speakers. "It is people falling for lies and displacing their frustrations - economic hardship, political alienation - onto others," said Miroko Kato, a 42-year-old haiku poet among the protestors. "We're here to say: we're watching you!" REUTERS
