‘Japanese First’ talk takes centre stage ahead of polls

TOKYO: An upstart party is gaining support ahead of elections in Japan by railing against a ‘silent invasion’ of immigrants, pushing the government to tackle fears about foreigners as it drags into the mainstream rhetoric once confined to the political fringe.

Birthed on YouTube during the pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party, Sanseito, is widening its appeal with a ‘Japanese First’ campaign ahead of Sunday’s upper house vote. And while polls show it may only secure 10 to 15 of the 125 seats up for grabs, it is further eroding the support of PM Shigeru Ishiba’s shaky minority government increasingly beholden to opposition parties as it clings to office.

“In the past, anyone who brought up immigration would be attacked by the left. We are getting bashed too, but are also gaining support,” Sohei Kamiya, the party’s 47-year-old charismatic leader, said.

“LDP and Komeito can’t stay silent if they want to keep their support,” Kamiya added, referring to Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Partywhich has governed Japan for most of the past seven decades, and its junior partner.

Kamiya’s message has grabbed voters frustrated with a weak economy and currency that has lured tourists in record numbers in recent years, further driving up prices that Japanese can ill-afford, analysts say. Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and teacher, says he has drawn inspiration from US President Trump’s “bold political style”. REUTERS