Japan Immigration News

“Japanese-First” – The Rise of the Sanseito Party and Anti-Immigration Efforts in Japan

Release Date: 2025-10-20
Media: PA Times
Summary: A new populist movement is emerging in Japan, centered around preserving national culture and resisting foreign influence. The Sanseito Party, founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Sohei Kamiya, has gained traction through social media and anti-establishment rhetoric. Initially spreading misinformation about the pandemic, Kamiya capitalized on public anxiety over economic stagnation, inflation, and cultural change.

In the 2025 Upper House elections, Sanseito won 14 of 124 contested seats (plus Kamiya’s existing seat), earning 12.6% of the national vote—the strongest showing yet for a far-right party in Japan. Its success reflects growing unease about immigration and overtourism, though it may be more of a temporary reaction than a long-term political shift.

Sanseito advocates tighter immigration controls, including stricter naturalization laws, limits on foreign residents’ rights, and opposition to perceived “foreign cultural imposition.” However, Japan’s economy increasingly depends on foreign labor due to its aging population, and experts warn that restricting immigration could cripple key industries.

The article concludes that while Sanseito’s rise is noteworthy, it likely represents a situational anomaly rather than a full political realignment. Japan’s deeper economic and demographic challenges, rather than immigration alone, are driving this populist sentiment. Still, the movement could serve as a warning or model for other nations confronting similar nationalist trends.
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