At Sunday elections, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suffered a stinging electoral defeat, losing the majority in the upper Chamber of Parliament. On the other hand, the opposition, extremely fragmented, seems unable to form an alternative majority.
Shigeru Ishiba suffered a stinging electoral defeat photo archive
The surprise of the election was the result obtained by the Radical Party rightly SanSato, with his slogan “Japan on the first place”. He recorded a huge victory, winning 14 places, after in the previous legislature he owned only two. However, over time, the party has strengthened its message and expanded its influence, promoting a firm nationalism, an anti-immigration speech and conspiracy theories about globalization and foreign influence on Japan.
Populism in post -war Japan: between exception and return
Post -war Japan, westernized after reconstruction, had a different political architecture from the European or even American. Japanese intelligence has been concentrated on economic pragmatism rather than on doctrinal or ideological polarization, and the appearances of charismatic figures and populist parties were rather accidental than structural.
Without finding a long-term fertile ground, populist ideas were rather sporadic episodes-short summer rains. Among the most notorious examples are:
The Freedom Party (the 1950s), which, through the Yano Tsuneta – a nonconformist figure, criticize the alliance with the US and the dominance of LDP – tried to mobilize popular dissatisfaction against the Tokyo elites.
The writer and activist Takeshi Kaikō, who, although he did not run a party, was an important populist voice, promoting the idea of a Japanese manipulated by external interests and corrupt companies – themes that have remained latent in the political discourse to this day.
Tōru Hashimoto, former mayor of the city of Osaka and co-founder of Nippon Ishin No Kai (Japan's Restoration Party), who, through an anti-system discourse and promises of local reforms and autonomy, attracted the support of young people and voters disillusioned by LDP. His party has experienced temporary success.
From reluctance to digital revolt: SanSato ascension
The effects of information manipulation in pandemic, the restrictions imposed and the influence of social networks have changed the traditional approach to Japan.
Starting with 2020, the emergence of SanSato (“The Party of the Three Principles”) has marked the beginning of a new era for Japanese populism. With a radical anti-immigration, anti-globalist and nationalist discourse, inspired by Donald Trump's rhetoric, Sansato managed to mobilize the dissatisfaction of young people towards the economic crisis and general disillusionment to traditional parties.
Unlike previous movements, SantaTo uses intensely social media, youtube and alternative information channels to attract voters. Although it still has a limited presence in the Parliament, its rapid growth indicates the possibility of strengthening the right -wing populism in Japan – a rare phenomenon in the recent political history of the country.
The crisis of trust and the fault between generations
Sanasito appeals in particular to young voters, dissatisfied with the political status quo and worried about the country's economic future. The party proposes a return to traditional Japanese values and rejects multiculturalism, claiming that immigration threatens national identity. In parallel, it challenges the veracity of official information about pandemic and promotes the idea that Japan is manipulated by external interests – especially by international organizations and transnational corporations.
The leader of the party, the reservist of Sohei Kamiya, previously said that he was inspired by the “bold political style” of former US President Donald Trump.
The ascension of Sanasito takes place against the background of a generalized decrease in trust in traditional parties, especially in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in government. Although LDP has won most of the places in the elections, its support among the electorate is constantly decreasing, against the background of economic stagnation and repeated political scandals.
Although SanSato does not have the power to decisively influence the national policy, its rapid growth could change the Japanese political landscape in the coming years.
A sign of times
What we see after this weekend elections is the manifestation of a deep frustration, which is not specific only to Japan. It is a global tendency, and Japan is not immune.
Throughout decades, Japan has been considered an exception in the global populist landscape-a homogeneous society, with a stable policy and a consensus culture. But the erosion of trust in the elites, the structural problems of the economy, the aging of the population and the social polarization create the perfect conditions for the appearance of parties with radical discourses.
Even though there have been no dominant populist parties in the post -war period, the year 2020 can mark the beginning of a paradigm change, in which formations such as Sancesat are becoming more and more influential in the outline of Japan's political future.
