"Japanese First" anti-immigration stance resonates, ruling party becomes big winner in upper house elections

In Japan's Senate election held on Sunday, the far-right political party emerged as one of the biggest winners. The party's main demands include warning against the "silent invasion" of immigrants, and promises of tax cuts and increased welfare spending. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the party spread conspiracy theories about vaccines and global elite groups on video-sharing platforms, then raised the banner of "Japanese people first" and gradually entered mainstream politics. According to the report by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, the party won 14 seats in this election, compared to just one seat three years ago. Currently, the party holds three seats in the Lower House. The term "Japanese people first" aims to rebuild the livelihood of the Japanese people by resisting globalism," party leader Sugihira Sohei said in a post-election interview with a Japanese TV station. "I am not saying we should completely ban foreigners, nor am I saying all foreigners should leave Japan." The 47-year-old Sugihira Sohei, a former supermarket manager and English teacher, told the media before the election that he was inspired by the bold political style of US President Trump.