Japan’s Political Landscape Upended as Far-Right Sanseito Secures Major Gains

Japan’s traditionally stable political scene has been dramatically reshaped following last Sunday’s elections, which saw the obscure far-right party, Sanseito, surge from just one to an unprecedented 15 seats. This significant gain establishes Sanseito as a serious contender, challenging the long-dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its embattled Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba.

The LDP coalition’s recent loss of its upper house majority, following a lower house defeat last year, has intensified calls for Ishiba’s resignation. Despite sealing a “massive” tariff deal with the US earlier this week, the economic stability it provided has done little to calm the political upheaval gripping the nation.

Voters’ frustrations, fueled by a tough few years of inflation, high prices—including a doubling of rice prices since last year—stagnant wages, and a sluggish economy, have been palpable. This economic discontent, coupled with rising anxieties over immigration and the perceived negative impact of tourism, has driven many to embrace Sanseito’s “Japan First” platform, which echoes former US President Donald Trump’s nationalist rhetoric.

Sanseito, founded in 2020 by former supermarket manager Sohei Kamiya, gained prominence through social media, spreading conspiracy theories and advocating for an anti-globalist stance. The party blames government policies for increased foreign residents and has criticized spending on social security for non-citizens, despite rebuttals from the LDP.

The party’s success also stems from a growing segment of the population, including young people and disillusioned conservative LDP voters, who seek a more passionate and outspoken advocate for their concerns. While the long-term impact of this populist trend remains to be seen, Sanseito’s recent triumph underscores a new reality: Japanese voters are increasingly hungry for change, signaling a potential shift from the nation’s cherished political stability.

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