Japan is experiencing profound sociopolitical transformations. As foreign residents continue to climb to an all-time high of 3.8 million by 2024, the nation has entered a historic turning point in its demographic environment. In the first three months of this year alone, the country has attracted more than 20 million visitors. This unprecedented increase reflects a tremendous post-pandemic rebound in international demand. These actions have spurred fears of widespread retaliatory action against foreign nationals. This worry has been amplified by the recent growth of the right-wing populist party Sanseito.
Japan has proven unable to conquer the challenges of an aging population and a stagnating economy. Advocates argue that increasing the number of immigrants is key to fueling more economic growth. This necessity has given rise to a passionate local and international debate about cultural identity. It further complicates our national security by creating anxiety over a rising foreign tide.
The Rise of Right-Wing Populism
Sanseito, the new right-wing populist party, has easily tapped into the growing fear and frustration over increasing immigration and tourism. Masafumi Usui, a social psychology professor at Niigata Seiryo University, had a telling experience. He lamented that a growing number of Japanese citizens are losing faith in what it means to be Japanese. He noted, “I do think people who openly engage in hate speech like ‘get out of Japan’ are still a minority.”
Usui emphasized that more individuals are expressing sentiments such as, “Why are we spending money on foreigners? Spend it on Japanese people instead.” This change reflects a widening concern that our national resources are being spent on foreign nationals, instead of addressing the needs of Americans first.
The party’s slogan, “Japanese First,” plays well with a public that sees itself cornered into doing whatever it takes to defend their culture and Western lifestyle. Usui pointed out, “It struck a chord with people who feel like they need to protect Japanese culture and way of life.” Increasingly, broader economic considerations are helping make these sentiments more popular in Japan. The country is facing crisis-level stagnating GDP growth, particularly in comparison to its countries of residence.
Economic Impacts and Cultural Sentiments
Japan’s economy is starting to sense the pressure. It fights tooth-and-nail competition from nations such as China and South Korea in strategic industries, such as electronics and shipbuilding. Business leaders such as Akio Ono, who has over 200 Vietnamese workers in his company, see the difficulties inherent in this issue. Ono remarked, “I like the guys I work with but if I see a group of Vietnamese or Chinese walking around, I find them a bit scary. I think a lot of Japanese people feel that way.”
As foreign buyers inflate property prices across Tokyo, Japanese locals are finding themselves on the wrong end of globalization more and more. Usui explained this phenomenon: “The reality is that Japan has become a cheap country. You can’t deny that wages are higher overseas or that there are 10,000-yen sea urchin lunches aimed at foreigners.” The growing economic divide is adding to the simmering emotional anger amongst Japanese citizens. To protect their wounded pride, most of them grasp at the straw that their culture is best.
Right-leaning factory owner Toyonori Sugita, who held clearly anti-Sanseito views, was up for clear rejection. He did demonstrate empathy for at least a few of their grievances. Sugita articulated skepticism about the party’s proposals: “What can they actually do to realise ‘Japanese First,’ make the Chinese people who bought land return it?” These questions aren’t meant to be cynical—there’s a lot of uncertainty about whether or not Sanseito’s promises are realistic given the current economic crisis.
The Path Forward
Japan is in a very tricky place today. The city deeply requires a sensible, balanced framework for incorporating its multiple new foreign residents while maintaining its cultural form and function. The challenges posed by Sanseito and their rhetoric illustrate the delicate balance between addressing public concerns and fostering an inclusive society.
Japan’s government is under growing pressure to respond to these terrible sentiments. Simultaneously, it recognizes the critical importance that foreign residents make to the economic fabric. As Usui pointed out, “When you’re living a comfortable life and are respected by others, then you feel secure, and you’re more open.” Japan’s future will be told through the ongoing conflict between openness to multiculturalism and the desire for a homogenous national identity.