Trump-inspired ‘Japanese First’ party gains ground in Japan

Sanseito, a Japanese populist party that draws inspiration from Donald Trump’s politics, is gaining support ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections, suggesting a notable shift in the country’s traditionally centrist landscape.

State of play: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition could lose its upper house majority in the upcoming vote, repeating last year’s lower house setback that left the Liberal Democratic Party — Japan’s dominant party for the past seven decades — struggling to maintain power.

At present, the country’s struggling economy and currency have attracted record numbers of tourists, further increasing prices that families find difficult to afford. Sanseito’s rise reflects widespread economic frustrations as most parties promise tax cuts to address rising costs.

Enter Sanseito: Sanseito, which began on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic peddling conspiracy theories, is now expected to secure 10 to 15 seats with its “Japanese First” platform, marking a significant jump for a party that currently holds just two seats.

Leader Sohei Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and English teacher, told Reuters that he draws inspiration from Trump’s “bold political style.” For one, the party opposes what it describes as a “silent invasion” of immigrants, even though foreign-born residents make up just 3% of Japan’s population — far less than in the U.S. and Europe.

The big picture: Observers believe anti-foreign sentiment is now more openly discussed in the country. Meanwhile, the Japanese government believes Tokyo is “becoming a target” of foreign election interference through social media. Sanseito currently faces scrutiny after candidate Saya appeared on Russian state media Sputnik, raising concerns about foreign interference and prompting Kamiya to demand staff resignations.