Tokyo – A fringe far-right party has shaken up Japan’s political scene after securing a surprising 14 seats in the upper house elections held on Sunday. Sanseito, also known for its “Japanese First” rhetoric, is gaining traction with promises of tax cuts, increased welfare spending, and hardline immigration policies.
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic and rooted in online platforms like YouTube, Sanseito has transitioned from spreading vaccine conspiracy theories to becoming a rising force in Japanese politics. Its leader, Sohei Kamiya, has drawn attention for echoing populist themes seen in the U.S. and Europe.
“I’m not saying all foreigners should leave,” Kamiya said after the election. “But Japanese livelihoods must come first, and globalism must be resisted.”
Mainstream Success from Online Fringe
The party now holds 15 seats in the 248-member upper house, after previously having just one. Its rise comes at a time when Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in the chamber, after also facing defeat in the lower house last October.
Analysts say the Sanseito surge highlights growing voter discontent with the economy, a weakening yen, and inflation, especially food prices. Still, only 7% of voters ranked immigration as their top concern, with social security and rising living costs dominating polls.
“This is more a sign of the ruling party’s weakness than Sanseito’s strength,” said Joshua Walker, President of the Japan Society in the U.S.
Populist Playbook and Trump Inspiration
Kamiya, a former English teacher and supermarket manager, has openly cited Donald Trump’s political style as an inspiration. His rhetoric and campaign tactics have drawn comparisons with far-right parties like Germany’s AfD and the UK’s Reform Party.
To broaden support beyond his core male base in their 20s and 30s, Kamiya fielded multiple female candidates. One of them, a singer known simply as Saya, won a seat representing Tokyo.
Despite controversies—including calling gender equality “a mistake” and previously suggesting Japan’s emperor should take concubines—Kamiya has recently tried to soften his tone to appeal to a wider audience.
Shifting Japan’s Political Landscape
Sanseito’s growing presence is already influencing national politics. Days before the vote, Ishiba’s administration launched a task force to address crimes by foreign nationals and pledged stricter immigration control, including a target of “zero illegal foreigners.”
While Japan’s foreign-born population remains low at about 3.8 million (3% of the total population), public discourse around immigration is intensifying.
Sanseito also has a powerful digital presence, boasting over 400,000 YouTube subscribers—more than triple that of the ruling LDP. This online reach has enabled it to bypass traditional media and connect directly with frustrated voters.
“This is just the beginning,” Kamiya said. “If we build our numbers to 50 or 60 seats, we can turn our policies into action.”