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Sanseito, a political party in Japan that advocates for "Japan First," is gaining support.
In the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly elections on June 22, 3 out of 4 candidates from Sanseito were elected. In the upcoming Upper House election, they are running 55 candidates across all districts, aiming to expand their influence. But why are they gaining popularity, and what might happen next?
Professor Jiro Mizushima, a European political historian at Chiba University, explains the rise in support for these types of parties.
Why is support for Sanseito increasing?
Mizushima compares Sanseito to right-wing populist parties in Europe. These parties are gaining traction from people who feel disconnected from traditional political divides, like the center-right and center-left. In Japan, for instance, both the conservative Japan Conservative Party and the left-wing Reiwa Shinsengumi are growing in support, challenging the major political parties (Liberal Democrats and Constitutional Democrats). Populist parties like Sanseito are appealing to people who feel dissatisfied with the existing political system.What is the social background of their supporters?
Globally, right-wing populist parties often draw support from "the forgotten people"—those who feel left behind by economic or social changes. For example, in the U.S., President Trump had strong backing in the "Rust Belt," the industrial areas in the East and Midwest. Similarly, in the UK and France, these parties have support in old industrial regions.
by MagazineKey4532