Will Japan’s Anti-immigrant Far-right Parties Win More Votes?
- Japan’s far-right parties are utilizing anti-immigrant sentiment ahead of elections.
- Sanseito, an ultraconservative party, has gained attention despite low polling.
- The ruling LDP faces challenges due to scandals and low approval ratings.
Far-right parties amplify anti-immigration rhetoric in Japan
As Japan approaches a critical House of Councillors election, scheduled for this Sunday, far-right parties are ramping up their anti-immigration rhetoric, a strategy familiar to those observing the political landscape in countries like the United States and various European nations. These populist movements, echoing the sentiments of figures such as former US President Donald Trump, aim to tap into the growing dissatisfaction among voters regarding immigration and foreign presence in Japan. As candidates rally around traditional topics such as inflation, job creation, and defense, the injection of anti-immigrant discourse signals a significant shift in Japan’s political dialogue and could sway undecided voters.
Sanseito and others gain momentum as LDP falters
The emergence of ultraconservative groups, notably the Sanseito party that came into existence in 2020, reflects this growing trend. Although polling suggests the party enjoys only 5.9 percent of voter support, the NHK survey indicates a substantial 33 percent of voters are still undecided. These undecided voters could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the election, especially as the traditionally dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) grapples with low approval ratings—currently at approximately 24 percent—suffered due to recent scandals. The electoral landscape appears increasingly unpredictable, with analysts suggesting that a hung parliament could arise.
Smaller parties poised for greater influence post-election
Analysts predict this precarious situation could benefit smaller parties like Sanseito and other right-leaning contenders, such as the Conservative Party of Japan (CPJ), Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), or the Democratic Party for the People (DPFP). Their increased influence could potentially alter the balance of power in the Diet, Japan’s national legislature, leading to negotiations between the ruling party and these emerging forces post-election. Hiromichi Moteki, a conservative historian based in Tokyo, illustrates this growing discontent, having shifted his support away from the LDP out of frustration with what he describes as “hopeless” leadership under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
As Japan’s upper house election nears, anti-immigrant sentiment is driving political discourse among far-right parties, most notably the Sanseito party, which could significantly impact the election results. With many voters undecided and the LDP struggling, a shift in power dynamics may give smaller parties leverage in government negotiations post-election. This evolving political landscape overseas poses a scenario worth watching closely.
