Japan’s political landscape just shifted. On July 20, the ultranationalist Sanseito party jumped from one seat to 14 in the upper house of parliament. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost 13 seats and its majority. That’s the first time since 1955 the LDP has lost control of both chambers. The shift wasn’t subtle. It was driven by nationalism.
Sanseito’s slogan is “Japanese First.” Their platform targets immigration, foreign tourism, and cultural integration. Party leader Sohei Kamiya blamed foreigners for inflation, crime, and social decay. He called for loyalty tests, suspended benefits for foreign residents, and constitutional changes to allow preemptive military strikes. The party also wants Japan to develop nuclear weapons.
The numbers behind the rhetoric are real. Japan recorded 3.8 million foreign residents and 36.9 million tourists last year. Public unease over overtourism and foreign ownership of property surged. A government committee was formed to address “harmonious coexistence” with non-Japanese nationals. But it came too late. Voters moved.
The LDP’s campaign focused on stability and fiscal restraint. They offered a one-time ¥20,000 cash payout. Opposition parties promised tax cuts and wage hikes. Inflation remains high. The yen is weak. Real wages fell 2.1% in Q2. Sanseito’s message landed.
Social media amplified the shift. Kamiya’s YouTube channel pushed vaccine conspiracies and anti-globalist content. His rallies drew young men aged 18 to 30. The party’s messaging echoed Trump’s MAGA movement and Europe’s far-right parties. Kamiya praised Marine Le Pen and Germany’s AfD.
Local voices are split. A professor in Tokyo said, “Sanseito tapped into frustration. The LDP stopped listening.” A voter in Osaka said, “We’re losing our culture. Someone had to say it.” A teacher in Nagoya said, “This rhetoric is dangerous. But it’s popular.”
The LDP now faces minority rule. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he won’t resign. But he must negotiate with opposition parties to pass legislation. Sanseito’s rise means immigration, defense, and social policy debates will shift hard right.
The party also won three seats in Tokyo’s prefectural elections in June. Their goal is 50 to 60 seats in the next cycle. That would give them budget proposal power. For now, they hold 14 in the upper house and three in the lower.
Sources
https://thediplomat.com/2025/07/the-ldp-bears-responsibility-for-japans-populist-surge
https://www.dw.com/en/what-is-behind-the-rise-of-the-japanese-first-far-right/a-73367700
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/japan-election-right-wing-sanseito-b2794358.html
https://news.ssbcrack.com/sanseitos-electoral-surge-signals-growing-nationalism-in-japan
