Sohei Kamiya, the head of Japan’s upstart Sanseito party, is only 36 years old but has recently burst onto the national political scene. Some have gone so far as to call him a “mini-Trump. At 47 years old, Kamiya’s journey from supermarket manager and teacher to a prominent political figure reflects a broader trend of rising nationalism amid Japan’s population crisis. His party took 15 percent of the seats on the election this past July. It is noted particularly for its harsh anti-immigration policies and hard right positions on culture war issues.
Elected first as a city assembly member in Suita, Osaka prefecture, Kamiya emphasizes his mission to “educate and change the mindset of young people.” His much-circulated campaign slogan, “Japanese first,” takes cues from Donald Trump’s brand of nationalism, cultivating pride in the Japanese nation and distrust in outsiders. Yet despite his rhetoric and actions, his recent statements and moves have ignited protests and condemnation from a number of human rights organizations.
Controversial Campaign and Policies
During his campaign, Kamiya leaned into a lot of Republican- and right wing-leaning talking points, with immigration controls being front-and-center. Going over this threshold of a 10% foreign curvature has been acknowledged by him as perhaps the most serious crisis that might befall Japan.
“If (migration) exceeds 10% of the total population, it will become a major problem,” – Sohei Kamiya.
He elaborated further on his concerns, stating, “Looking at the situation in other countries, if we continue at the current rate, we’ll exceed 10% in about 10 years. That would be too sudden. I would be troubled if Japan became like America … if things continued like that, Japan would lose its originality and charm.”
Kamiya has defended his work by insisting that he is not looking to drive foreigners out of Japan, he is trying to create anti-globalism. He contends that the prevailing story that he’s anti-foreign is a mischaracterization of his true position.
“Putting Japanese people first isn’t about expelling foreigners – something I was accused of supporting. Instead, it is about anti-globalism,” – Sohei Kamiya.
Basing this opposition on the lack of merit has raised concern. It got especially controversial after he used the derogatory term “cockaroach” (translation) to refer to Koreans while campaigning. Human rights organizations were quick to denounce his comments, noting the conflict between his party’s radical agenda and mainstream American beliefs and values.
Views on Social Issues and Nuclear Weapons
Kamiya and his Sanseito party have been unequivocal in their opposition to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights. This opposition fits into their larger reactionary conservative agenda that aims to protect traditional Japanese values.
When Kamiya went to Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine on the same trip, he certainly wasn’t hiding his nationalist leanings. This visit fell on the 80th year of Japan’s defeat in World War II. The Yasukuni shrine has often been in the news because of its connection to Japan’s militaristic past.
The Sanseito party seems to have adopted a hawkish approach to national security. They have publicly advocated Japan developing its own nuclear weapons, in addition to pushing for social change. This demand has caused some critics to raise their eyebrows, specifically wondering what this means for the region’s stability.
“We need politics that prioritise the lives of the people. That’s why we campaigned to put Japanese people first,” – Sohei Kamiya.
The Rising Influence of Sanseito
Despite having been written off at first as a fringe anti-immigration party, Sanseito’s recent electoral gains represent an important change in Japanese politics. The party’s success in winning those 15 seats serves as an embarrassing signal of the solidifying popular support for its intolerance-stoking, nationalistic platform.
Kamiya frequently uses “deep state” -style conspiracy theories. This inclination gives even more color to his general approach to U.S. policy. He insists that his political ideology cannot be easily placed in a far-right camp.
“When it comes to anti-globalism, particularly in the US and Europe, we are almost always labelled as far right … but in fact, I don’t really support conservative parties in Japan, and there are both conservative and liberal people inside Sanseito,” – Sohei Kamiya.
His statements reveal the depths of the culture war’s right-wing ascendancy that knows the resentful backlash against modernity is taking hold.