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Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Japanese First' party emerges as election force with tough immigration talk
TOKYO: 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. 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 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. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party 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. 'Sanseito has become the talk of the town, and particularly here in America, because of the whole populist and anti-foreign sentiment. It's more of a weakness of the LDP and Ishiba than anything else,' said Joshua Walker, head of the U.S. non-profit Japan Society. In polling ahead of Sunday's election, 29% of voters told NHK that social security and a declining birthrate were their biggest concern. A total of 28% said they worried about rising rice prices, which have doubled in the past year. Immigration was in joint fifth place with 7% of respondents pointing to it. 'We were criticized as being xenophobic and discriminatory. The public came to understand that the media was wrong and Sanseito was right,' Kamiya said. Kamiya's message grabbed voters frustrated with a weak economy and currency that has lured tourists in record numbers in recent years, further driving up prices that Japanese can ill afford, political analysts say. Japan's fast-ageing society has also seen foreign-born residents hit a record of about 3.8 million last year, though that is just 3% of the total population, a fraction of the corresponding proportion in the United States and Europe. Inspired by Trump Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and English teacher, told Reuters before the election that he had drawn inspiration from U.S. President Donald Trump's 'bold political style'. He has also drawn comparisons with Germany's AfD and Reform UK although right-wing populist policies have yet to take root in Japan as they have in Europe and the United States. Post-election, Kamiya said he plans to follow the example of Europe's emerging populist parties by building alliances with other small parties rather than work with an LDP administration, which has ruled for most of Japan's postwar history. Japan heads to polls in key test for Prime Minister Ishiba Sanseito's focus on immigration has already shifted Japan's politics to the right. Just days before the vote, Ishiba's administration announced a new government taskforce to fight 'crimes and disorderly conduct' by foreign nationals and his party has promised a target of 'zero illegal foreigners'. Kamiya, who won the party's first seat in 2022 after gaining notoriety for appearing to call for Japan's emperor to take concubines, has tried to tone down some controversial ideas formerly embraced by the party. During the campaign, Kamiya, however, faced a backlash for branding gender equality policies a mistake that encourage women to work and keep them from having children. To soften what he said was his 'hot-blooded' image and to broaden support beyond the men in their twenties and thirties that form the core of Sanseito's support, Kamiya fielded a raft of female candidates on Sunday. Those included the single-named singer Saya, who clinched a seat in Tokyo. Like other opposition parties, Sanseito called for tax cuts and an increase in child benefits, policies that led investors to fret about Japan's fiscal health and massive debt pile, but unlike them it has a far bigger online presence from where it can attack Japan's political establishment. Its YouTube channel has 400,000 followers, more than any other party on the platform and three times that of the LDP, according to Sanseito's upper house breakthrough, Kamiya said, is just the beginning. 'We are gradually increasing our numbers and living up to people's expectations. By building a solid organization and securing 50 or 60 seats, I believe our policies will finally become reality,' he said.
Japan Today
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Tokio pop group member removed from TV show over past conduct
A member of Japanese all-male pop group Tokio has been removed from a popular TV program due to past conduct that breached compliance rules on multiple occasions, a TV network said Friday. Taichi Kokubun, 50, was removed from "The Tetsuwan Dash," a variety program aired by Nippon Television Network Corp. and fronted by the members of Tokio. Neither Kokubun, his company nor the TV network has elaborated on what the breaches entailed, but according to a source close to the matter, they involved behavior that could be considered sexual harassment. The decision to remove Kokubun was approved at an extraordinary board meeting, based on findings from a third-party probe headed by lawyers. Kokubun has accepted the decision, the network said. In remarks to reporters, Hiroyuki Fukuda, the network's president, declined to elaborate further on the cases, citing a need to "protect privacy." He said it was not a criminal matter. According to Fukuda, the probe was established after the misconduct came to light in late May. "The Tetsuwan Dash" will continue broadcasting, the network said. Following the announcement, Kokubun said he is indefinitely suspending his activities in a release on the Tokio company website. In a statement of apology, he said that "my lack of awareness for the situation I am in, my naivety, my arrogance and my inappropriate behavior have caused everything." Kokubun debuted with the then five-member Tokio in 1994 and has an extensive career in television and radio. After the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, he helped promote local farming produce by appearing in commercials. His removal from the Nippon Television program comes amid increased scrutiny of Japan's entertainment industry following recent revelations such as a sexual misconduct scandal that emerged at Fuji Television Network Inc. involving popular former TV host Masahiro Nakai. Tokio's former agency Johnny & Associates Inc. also renamed itself and a separate agency was established after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations against its late founder Johnny Kitagawa. © KYODO
The Mainichi
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Tokio pop group member removed from TV show over past conduct
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- A member of Japanese all-male pop group Tokio has been removed from a popular TV program due to past conduct that breached compliance rules on multiple occasions, a TV network said Friday. Taichi Kokubun, 50, was removed from "The Tetsuwan Dash," a variety program aired by Nippon Television Network Corp. and fronted by the members of Tokio. The decision to remove Kokubun was approved at an extraordinary board meeting, based on findings from a third-party probe headed by lawyers. Kokubun has accepted the decision, the network said. In remarks to reporters, Hiroyuki Fukuda, the network's president, declined to elaborate further on the cases, citing a need to "protect privacy." He said it was not a criminal matter. According to Fukuda, the probe was established after the misconduct came to light in late May. "The Tetsuwan Dash" will continue broadcasting, the network said. Kokubun debuted with the then five-member Tokio in 1994 and has an extensive career in television and radio. After the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011, he helped promote local farming produce by appearing in commercials. His removal from the Nippon Television program comes amid increased scrutiny of Japan's entertainment industry following recent revelations such as a sexual misconduct scandal that emerged at Fuji Television Network Inc. involving popular former TV host Masahiro Nakai. Tokio's former agency Johnny & Associates Inc. also renamed itself and a separate agency was established after hundreds of sexual abuse allegations against its late founder Johnny Kitagawa.
Pink Villa
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 22: Will Maomao Save Kyou-u? Recap, Release Date, Where To Stream And More
In ' Taibon,' Maomao learns the resurrection drug was a byproduct of Suirei's immortality research. After a scuffle, Shenmei demands Maomao make a youth potion. Later, Kyou-u tries to help Maomao escape, though he is caught. Maomao claims responsibility and is thrown into the taibon with poisonous critters. She quickly makes food out of them. She then bribes the guard, who shows her the stronghold's gunpowder factory and warns of an approaching army. She witnesses Loulan destroy the facility, and learns of Suirei's imperial lineage. The episode ends with Loulan showing Maomao poisoned children—including Kyou-u —meant to die painlessly before the clan's defeat. Expected plot in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 22 With Loulan taking Maomao to the dying children, she may be hoping Maomao can replicate the resurrection formula in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 22. While her intentions for the Emperor remain unclear, Loulan is likely using Maomao's knowledge as a final attempt to save lives. Whether she chooses to save the kids or not, Maomao faces a difficult decision as time runs out. Meanwhile, with the imperial army nearing, Jinshi may abandon his facade and act as the Moon Prince, assuming direct command. The episode may also depict the final collapse of the Shi stronghold. Release date and where to stream Titled 'Royal Guard,' The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 22 is set to release on June 13, 2025, at 11:40 pm JST in Japan. This timing applies specifically to Japanese audiences, with release times varying globally. In Japan, the episode will be broadcast on local TV channels such as Nippon Television, AT-X, Movie Channel Neco, and Animax. Additionally, it will be available on streaming platforms like ABEMA Premium and Anime Store. For international viewers, The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 22 will stream on Crunchyroll roughly 2:30 hours after the Japanese broadcast, and it's also available on Netflix with a subscription. For more updates from the second season of The Apothecary Diaries anime, stay tuned to Pinkvilla.
Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 20: Maomao and Kyou-u Get Caught—Recap, Release Date And More
In 'Festival,' Shisui explains the village's harvest festival roots in western settler history. She also explains the meaning behind red and green fox masks, hinting at the people's hereditary color blindness. Maomao identifies their origin as likely being tied to the Mother Royal's lineage. After the ritual, Maomao requests Suirei's resurrection drug formula, which Suirei provides. Maomao later discovers Suirei's lab, containing metal tubes and a feifa assembly setup. While investigating, Maomao and Kyou-u are caught inside the storehouse by Shenmei, accompanied by noble envoy Ayla. Expected plot in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 20 Maomao and Kyou-u, having been discovered by Shenmei, will likely be punished severely in The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 20. However, Suirei may attempt to defend them, given that Maomao is presently in her care. Loulan will likely make an appearance as well, confirming her connection to Shenmei, Suirei and Shishui. This may lead to a lighter punishment overall. Meanwhile, the connection between the illegal firearms operation and palace conspiracies will tighten with envoy Ayla's involvement. Release date and where to stream The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 20, titled 'The Stronghold,' will be released on May 31, 2025, at 11:40 pm JST in Japan. The release time may differ for international audiences. In Japan, the episode will air on channels such as Nippon Television, AT-X, Movie Channel Neco, and Animax, following their local schedules. It will also be available on Japanese streaming platforms like ABEMA Premium and Anime Store. International viewers can stream The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 20 on Crunchyroll around 2:30 hours after its Japanese airing or on Netflix with a subscription. For more updates on the second season of The Apothecary Diaries anime, stay tuned to Pinkvilla. *The release dates and times provided are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change at the discretion of the creators. ALSO READ: The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Episode 19 Delayed: Maomao Returns After Week Break; Recap, Release Date And More
