Rise of the Far-Right Sanseito Party in Japan

The far-right populist party Sanseito has seen a significant rise in the recent Upper House elections in Japan. While the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito lost their majority, Sanseito surprised by winning 14 seats.

Sanseito's leader, Sohei Kamiya, founded the party in 2020 through YouTube, spreading conspiracy theories during the pandemic. In the run-up to the elections, the party focused on the 'Japanese First' campaign, focusing on issues such as overtourism and the increase in foreign residents.

Sanseito has been compared to Donald Trump's MAGA movement and has been criticized for xenophobic and racist stances. It has also provoked reactions for its opposition to gender equality policies.

The rise of Sanseito suggests a shift in the political landscape of Japan and reflects concerns about the economy, globalization, and the increasing number of foreigners.