Fringe right-wing party Sanseito stunned Japan’s political landscape by winning 14 seats in the upper house, riding a wave of nationalism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and online influence. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Key Highlights:
- Sanseito gains 14 seats, up from just 1 in the upper house—now one of Japan’s most talked-about political forces.
- Origins: Emerged during COVID-19, known for conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine content on YouTube.
- “Japanese First” slogan struck a chord amid economic woes, rising prices, and a weak yen.
- Leader Sohei Kamiya, inspired by Trump, says it’s about resisting globalism, not banning foreigners entirely.
- Critics accuse the party of xenophobia and anti-women rhetoric, though Kamiya has tried to soften the image.
- Star candidate Saya, a pop singer, won a seat in Tokyo, helping broaden appeal.
- PM Ishiba’s ruling LDP lost its majority, increasing reliance on opposition.
- Sanseito boasts a massive YouTube following (400K+), triple that of the LDP, helping fuel its rise.
- Kamiya aims to expand to 50–60 seats, signaling bigger ambitions.
- Immigration shift: Just days before the vote, LDP formed a taskforce on crimes by foreigners—a sign Sanseito’s stance is influencing policy.
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