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Japan Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan's far-right surge: Sanseito and ‘Japan First' politics in 2025
By Jeff W. Richards Why are far-right political parties gaining support in Japan ahead of the July 20 election? In this extended 17-minute edition of "Japan Today Spotlight" we go inside the rise of Sanseito and the Conservative Party of Japan — and the growing influence of 'Japan First' rhetoric targeting immigrants, tourists and foreign residents. We break down what these parties actually believe, where their support is coming from, and how discontent over overtourism, immigration and the economy is being turned into political momentum. From anti-foreigner policies to cult-like political messaging, this is not just another look at fringe politics — it's about how fear spreads, who gets blamed, and what happens when that blame becomes policy. Do you think enough Japanese voters are aware of what these parties really stand for? Let us know in the comments. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Japan's rising far-right 1:21 Sanseito and the 'Japan First' origin story 2:32 Sanseito's election goals 4:38 The Conservative Party of Japan 5:08 Foreigners as scapegoats 6:02 Japan's immigration policy 7:58 Community unease and crime fears 7:58 The real estate debate 7:58 Overtourism and blame politics 7:58 NGOs push back on hate speech 7:58 Will anything change after the election? 9:46 Final thoughts and what you can do Japan Today sources: See the Japan Today Spotlight series: Don't forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an update on Japan's biggest news stories on our YouTube channel: Follow us for more updates: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc. © Japan Today
Asahi Shimbun
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Survey: Backers of rising parties rely on social media for beliefs
Supporters who collect information about their favorite political parties from YouTube and other social networking sites tend to be more distrustful of the mass media, government, experts and police, a new survey shows. The joint survey by The Asahi Shimbun and the University of Osaka also showed that these people are more likely to believe that foreigners get preferential treatment and are suspicious of the efficacy of vaccines. The survey about online awareness has been conducted every month since February. A total of eight surveys were conducted through July 12 and responses were received from more than 5,000 people. The survey asked respondents about their 'most favorite political party,' and then collected their views on social systems and their level of trust. Regarding mass media, respondents were asked to choose from a scale of (1) 'I don't trust them at all' to (3) "undecided" to (5) 'I trust them completely.' Among the 10 political parties that meet the 'political party requirements' under the political party subsidies law, respondents who favored the Conservative Party of Japan showed the strongest distrust, with an average of 1.65. It was followed by those who chose Sanseito with an average of 1.84, followed by those who preferred the Democratic Party for the People with an average of 2.08, and those who chose Reiwa Shinsengumi with an average of 2.16. The overall average was 2.26, lower than the undecided scale. Those who supported these relatively new parties, including the four mentioned above, were more likely to agree with the idea that 'the mass media intentionally report divisive news for profit' and that 'mass media are all bad.' These respondents obtained much of their information about their favorite political parties from video-sharing sites such as YouTube and social networking sites such as X (formerly Twitter). Those who favored these four parties were also less trustful of government, police and experts such as university professors across the board. Furthermore, those who supported Sanseito, the Conservative Party of Japan, and Reiwa Shinsengumi were more likely to agree that 'there are many very serious things going on in the world that are not known to the public' and that 'there are secret organizations that exert a strong influence on political decisions.' In the United States, President Donald Trump has a history of increasing voter support by claiming that a so-called 'deep state' shadow government exists and pledges to dismantle it. The survey also asked whether the respondents thought that foreigners are treated overly favorably in Japan today. Those most likely to agree were those who back the Conservative Party of Japan with an average of 4.26. Those who favored Sanseito agreed with an average of 4.17, followed by those who supported Reiwa Shinsengumi with an average of 3.65, and those who supported the DPP with an average of 3.57. The overall average was 3.25, which shows that even when averaged across the board, respondents felt that foreigners are being given preferential treatment to some extent. Several nongovernmental organizations that are involved in human rights recently issued a joint statement rejecting such a perception, stating that 'Japan does not even have a basic law guaranteeing human rights to foreigners, nor do foreigners have the right to vote or receive welfare benefits as a legal right." The survey asked respondents about vaccinations against infectious diseases such as COVID-19 on a scale with 1 being 'should be recommended' and 5 being 'should not be recommended.' The average for those who favored Sanseito was 3.41, and the average for those who liked the Conservative Party of Japan was 3.36. The average for those who preferred the Social Democratic Party was 3.23, and the average for those who liked Reiwa Shinsengumi was also 3.23. The overall average for this was below the undecided 3 at 2.88, closer to the idea that vaccines 'should be recommended' than 'should not be recommended.' These attitudes also differed depending on where they primarily obtained information about their favorite political party. Those who supported Sanseito, the Conservative Party of Japan and Reiwa Shinsengumi heavily utilized video-sharing sites and social networking sites. In comparison, those who supported the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Komeito, and Nippon Ishin among others, were more likely to obtain their information from TV and newspapers. Among these, trust in such traditional media was high. Faith in the government, police and experts was also high. However, a larger percentage of those who supported the DPP said they obtained their information mainly from TV and newspapers, along with video-sharing websites and social networking sites. On the other hand, respondents had a high level of trust in their relatives and neighbors, regardless of which of the 10 parties they backed. In this regard, there was little difference by party support, suggesting that many people have a strong sense of trust in those close to them.
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan to set up team to address issues over foreign residents
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged Tuesday to set up a new command center within the Cabinet Secretariat early next week to address challenges related to foreign residents in Japan, the top government spokesman said. The issue has become one of the major topics during official campaigning for the July 20 House of Councillors election, with some minor parties arguing that regulations on foreigners living in Japan should be tightened to "protect the rights of Japanese people." "Realizing an orderly society inclusive of foreign residents is one of the most important policy matters the government should tackle," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference, explaining Ishiba's plan. The move appears aimed at gaining public support for the government's response to controversies related to foreign residents, including allegations of misuse of the national welfare system, ahead of the key upper house election. The issues have prompted some minor conservative opposition parties to adopt xenophobic stances toward foreign residents, making remarks that could be considered hate speech and claiming that Japan's culture and the economy must be protected. Asked about stump speeches that could lead to discrimination against foreigners, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said an "orderly coexistence between Japanese and foreign nationals is essential," adding, "There should be no xenophobia." "We have taken necessary measures to appropriately deal with foreign nationals who fail to comply with the rules, including possible deportation" under the legislation, Suzuki said at a regular press conference. The rules that foreign residents in Japan must follow include complying with Japanese laws and regulations, as well as engaging only in activities permitted under their residence status, the government said. On Saturday, Naoki Hyakuta, a former novelist and leader of the Conservative Party of Japan, said that foreign workers "disrespect Japanese culture, ignore the rules, assault Japanese people, and steal their belongings." During the upper house election campaign, another minor opposition group, the Sanseito party, has drawn attention among conservatives with nationalist and anti-establishment views under its "Japanese First" banner. The party's leader, Sohei Kamiya, has asserted that globalization is the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks and that the number of workers from abroad has grown excessively amid a labor shortage. The Conservative Party of Japan, launched in 2023, and Sanseito, established in 2020, each won three seats in last year's House of Representatives election. © KYODO
Kyodo News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Kyodo News
Japan to launch Cabinet team on issues related to foreign residents
TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged Tuesday to set up a new command center within the Cabinet Secretariat early next week to address challenges related to foreign residents in Japan, the top government spokesman said. The issue has become one of the major topics during official campaigning for the July 20 House of Councillors election, with some minor parties arguing that regulations on foreigners living in Japan should be tightened to "protect the rights of Japanese people." "Realizing an orderly society inclusive of foreign residents is one of the most important policy matters the government should tackle," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference, explaining Ishiba's plan. The move appears aimed at gaining public support for the government's response to controversies related to foreign residents, including allegations of misuse of the national welfare system, ahead of the key upper house election. The issues have prompted some minor conservative opposition parties to adopt xenophobic stances toward foreign residents, making remarks that could be considered hate speech and claiming that Japan's culture and the economy must be protected. On Saturday, Naoki Hyakuta, a former novelist and leader of the Conservative Party of Japan, said that foreign workers "disrespect Japanese culture, ignore the rules, assault Japanese people, and steal their belongings." During the upper house election campaign, another minor opposition group, the Sanseito party, has drawn attention among conservatives with nationalist and anti-establishment views under its "Japanese First" banner. The party's leader, Sohei Kamiya, has asserted that globalization is the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks and that the number of workers from abroad has grown excessively amid a labor shortage. The Conservative Party of Japan, launched in 2023, and Sanseito, established in 2020, each won three seats in last year's House of Representatives election.
Tokyo Weekender
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
NHK Party Leader Takashi Tachibana Calls Black and Muslim People ‘Scary'
Donning a MAGA cap and his trademark colorful suit, NHK Party leader Takashi Tachibana addressed a crowd in front of JR Kakogawa Station in Hyogo Prefecture on Friday. The controversial politician, who is running in the House of Councillors race for the Hyogo electoral district, started the stump speech by stating that he is 'afraid of foreigners.' He then added, 'You might not feel as much fear with white people.' List of Contents: Takashi Tachibana's Latest Controversial Remarks Foreigners 'Disrespect Japanese Culture' Says Conservative Party of Japan Leader Related Posts Takashi Tachibana's Latest Controversial Remarks Tachibana went on to say , 'It's scary when groups of Black people or people of Islamic background are gathered in front of the station. It's impossible to walk past at night when there are four or five them frolicking in front of you, and you don't know if they speak Japanese. The current law doesn't allow us to regulate them, so we can't tell them to go away.' Tachibana, who previously suggested that genocide is the solution to overpopulation and that 'we should just wipe out races that have babies like idiots,' was attacked in March, not by a foreigner, but a Japanese national. He was cut on his head and neck with a machete-like weapon, though his injuries were not serious. Suspect Shion M iyanishi , who was arrested at the scene, told the police he 'intended to kill' Tachibana. Foreigners 'Disrespect Japanese Culture' Says Conservative Party of Japan Leader Tachibana wasn't the only Japanese politician to voice controversial views about foreigners over the past few days. During a stump speech on Saturday, Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the minor right-wing opposition Conservative Party of Japan, said that foreign people 'disrespect Japanese culture, ignore the rules, assault Japanese people and steal their belongings. In northern Kanto you see many towns like this that are no-go zones. If we don't do something about it; Japan's public safety will be threatened.' The right-wing populist party Sanseito, meanwhile, has been gaining a lot of attention due to its 'Japanese First' approach. Speaking at the FCCJ last Thursday, leader Sohei Kamiya insisted that this approach was 'not based on xenophobia.' Responding to a question about immigration, he said, 'Our party is not in favor of accepting migrants to substitute for the drop in Japan's population,' adding, 'Please understand we're not intending to exclude foreign workers who are here legally. We just believe cheap foreign labor is not the right way.' Related Posts Foreign Residents Sue Japanese Government for Racial Profiling US Embassy Tweets About Suspected Racial Profiling in Japan Racism in Japan: A Conversation With Anthropology Professor John G. Russell
