Japanese First' Stance Helps Fringe Far-Right Party Gain Ground

Sanseito's Populist Message Resonates as it Wins 14 Seats in Japan's Upper House

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TOKYO - The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in Japan's Upper House election on July 20, 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.

Sanseito bagged 14 seats in Japan's Upper House, a dramatic increase from the single seat it had 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," Mr 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 (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito will most likely lose their majority in the Upper House, leaving them further beholden to opposition support following a Lower House defeat in October.