Japan Immigration News

'Japanese First' party emerges as election force with tough immigration talk

Release Date: 2025-07-22
Media: Reuters
Summary: In Japan’s upper house election, the fringe far-right Sanseito party made significant gains, winning 14 seats, up from just one previously. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic on YouTube and known for spreading conspiracy theories and anti-globalist rhetoric, Sanseito ran on a "Japanese First" platform focused on resisting immigration, cutting taxes, and increasing welfare spending.

Party leader Sohei Kamiya claimed the slogan was not meant to exclude foreigners entirely but to prioritize Japanese livelihoods. Despite immigration ranking low (7%) among voter concerns—behind social security, birthrates, and rising rice prices—the party capitalized on public economic frustrations and rising anti-foreign sentiment.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its partner Komeito lost their upper house majority, compounding setbacks after a prior lower house defeat. Analysts suggest Sanseito's rise reflects voter dissatisfaction with LDP leadership under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, rather than broad support for far-right ideology.
Tags

News Articles including ""

Released on

Article Title

Tags

2025-02-27

Japan top court finalizes government damages over Cameroon detainee death(The Mainichi)

Court

2025-02-22

Indonesian bus driver to be first to work under new Japan visa status(NIKKEI Asia)

Specified Skilled Worker

2025-02-19

Japan | Mandatory tuberculosis screening introduced(BAL)

Residence Application

2025-02-15

Facing deportation despite Japan upbringing, kids falling through immigration system gaps(The Mainichi)

Special Permission to Stay

2025-02-12

Japan Inc. pursues multilingual foreign students in global push(NIKKEI Asia)

Student

2025-01-31

Japan's immigration processing fees to rise starting April 1(Japan Times)

Residence Application

2025-01-28

A Fresh Take on Japan’s Labor Immigration Policy: OECD Report Offers Partial Defense of TITP(nippon.com)

Technical Intern Training

2025-01-28

Kids learn about coexistence with foreigners at gov't-held class in east Japan(The Mainichi)

Coexistence,

2025-01-28

Immigration Systems in Labor-Needy Japan and South Korea Have Evolved—but Remain Restrictive(Migration Policy Institute)

Immigration Policy

2025-01-16

Chinese residents in Osaka double over decade, buying homes(NIKKEI Asia)

Population,China

2025-01-11

Rising anti-Kurd hate in Japan's Saitama Pref. fueled by online agitation, outside groups(The Mainichi)

Kurdish,Refugee Status

2025-01-09

Japan | Fee increases and startup visa stay duration extensions(BAL)

Residence Application

2024-12-29

Breaking Down Japan's Immigration System From a Former Insider's Perspective(JAPAN Forward)

Immigration Policy

2024-12-25

Japan's Refugee Debate: What Does the Data Reveal?(JAPAN Forward)

Refugee Status

2024-12-24

Most of Japan's skilled foreign workers who quit do so within a year()

Specified Skilled Worker

2024-12-17

Japan begins process to replace controversial foreign trainee program(Japan Times)

Technical Intern Training,Training employment

2024-12-15

Indian-born CEO of Japanese company says nation needs immigration to thrive(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-12-05

Canada Christmas stimulus, immigration curbs cast more doubt on fiscal targets(Reuters)

Canada's fiscal targets are becoming harder to achieve due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent promise of a Christmas handout and immigration cuts that are expected to reduce economic growth. Other pressures include increased defense spending commitments, potential U.S. tariffs, and election-year spending temptations.

2024-12-03

How To Verify Refugee Status? Justice Minister Avoids Comment on Reinvestigation(JAPAN Forward)

Refugee Status

2024-12-03

Sealed Report on Refugee Claims of Some Kurds Raises Questions(JAPAN Forward)

Kurdish,Refugee Status

2024-12-02

Portugal's misleading immigration claims fact-checked(euronews)

The issue of immigration has been a target for misinformation across Europe, including in Portugal. André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party, has linked immigration to rising crime, claiming that 20% of Portugal's prisoners and 30% of arrests involve foreigners. However, official data shows discrepancies with these claims.

2024-11-24

Opinion: Law to revoke visa status over tax arrears irks Japan permanent residents(The Mainichi)

Permanent Resident, Immigration Law

2024-11-23

Japan Job Market Points to Shift on Immigration(Newsweek)

Immigration Policy, Specified Skilled Worker

2024-11-14

Opening Borders For Workers: Abe’s Profound Influence On Japan’s Immigration Regime(eurasia review)

Immigration Policy

2024-11-11

Japan to share entry costs, ease job-changing restrictions for Vietnamese workers(VNE Express)

Technical Intern Training, Vietnam