“First of all, the Japanese” – an unexpected election success of the organization informing against “the silent invasion of foreigners”

In the nipponese parliamentary elections to the equivalent of the Polish Senate, Sanseito's organization proved to be an unexpected triumphant – the group, which until late had only 1 mandate in the 248-member home of Councillors, and present can boast as many as fourteen seats. This is an unprecedented leap that has drawn attention to both public and global media. A fewer years ago, Sanseito was a marginal social movement operating on the outskirts of the public debate. present it becomes a symbol of Japan's political shift towards a more decisive, nationalist and anti-globalist rhetoric.

It was not only amazing that the organization gained popularity, but besides the scale of support – especially among younger, conservative voters frustrated by the Liberal-Democratic organization of Japan (LDP) governments. Sanseito took voices from the mainstream, filling the space for those who feel disappointed by the increasingly technocratic and compromise kind of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's leadership. Insufficiently national, besides soft towards China, open to compromises on cultural issues – this is how part of the conservative electorate sees it, which increasingly turns towards groups like Sanseito.

The party's run focused on the slogan "Japanese First" – the nipponese version of the American "American First". In her rhetoric, there were strong themes of opposition to immigration, warnings against the "silent invasion of foreigners" and calls for Japan to be restored to full sovereignty in health, education and the economy. Sanseito besides benefited from the increasing irritation of society by mass tourism, congestion of urban infrastructure and a sense of failure of cultural identity.

One of the main elements of the run was the request to reduce consumption taxation and increase support for families with children. In conjunction with the open criticism of “global elites”, global institutions and corporations, Sanseito created a message that resonated with voters tired of the position quo. There was besides a form of run – the organization again focused on direct communication, primarily through social media and YouTube. It was thanks to the net Sanseito that it first gained designation during the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting anti-vaccine content and undermining the authoritative wellness policy of the government.

New results from Sanseito show that a fresh phase begins in nipponese politics. The increase in the importance of this organization not only complicates the arrangement of forces in parliament, but besides signals changes in social sentiment. The question is no longer whether anti-system movements will find a place in politics – but how much impact they can have on its shape.

Sanseito past and ideology: spirituality, nationalism and anti-globalism

Sanseito was formed in 2020, in the mediate of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, it was a civic movement alternatively than a conventional organization – a network of activists, alternate educators and activists promoting a "healthy lifestyle". Their communication was mainly based on social media, and especially on YouTube, where they published content undermining existing narratives regarding vaccination, masks and lockdown policies.

It was during this period that the ideological profile of Sanseito developed – profoundly skeptical towards global institutions (WHO, UN), critical of globalisation and large corporations, while besides openly national and spiritually rooted in the nipponese tradition. The leader of the group, Sohei Kamiya, frequently cited the inspiration of Donald Trump's style, focusing on directness, controversy and the fight against "elites". His speeches are dominated by themes about the global conspiracy, the decadence of the West and the request to revive Japan as a sovereign nation. Sanseito's ideology is complex, but consistent in its interior logic. It combines conventional values (family, culture, spirituality) with extremist distrust of external institutions. He criticizes the West for losing moral compasses, and at the same time accuses the nipponese government of unreflexively copying its solutions, especially during the pandemic.

At first glance, Sanseito could be considered an “eco-conservative” organization – promoting health, natural food, holistic approach to education and life. But behind these slogans frequently lies a much stronger planet view: distrust of mainstream learning, rejection of vaccination, the view that the state manipulates citizens through fear. By any media, the group is classified as “conspirological”, although its leaders themselves claim to simply ask questions that no 1 else has the courage to ask.

The subject of national identity is equally powerfully heard in the Sanseito ideology. The organization focuses on "Japaneseity" as a value – both cultural and political. He wants to reconstruct national pride, reorient education around Japan's past and strengthen his emphasis on its civilizational distinctness. It openly opposes the further influx of immigrants, especially those outside Japan's cultural circle. In their speeches, organization leaders inform against "silent invasion" – not by military, but by mass tourism, migration and influences of abroad values.

This kind of rhetoric meets with accusations of xenophobia and populism. But the Sanseito sympathizers defy these allegations, claiming that it is about protecting nipponese identity in a planet that is increasingly blurring borders – cultural, economical and biological. In their opinion, Japan should be on its own, defend its own interests and bravely reject the solutions imposed from outside.

At the level of circumstantial policies, Sanseito advocates, among others, a simplification in taxes, deregulation of the wellness marketplace (including the authorisation of unconventional therapies), the abolition of compulsory vaccinations, the elimination of the influence of global organisations and the improvement of the education system. Education – alongside wellness and the economy – is 1 of the 3 main pillars of the programme. The organization wants to decision distant from the "test survival" model for the upbringing of creative, independent and profoundly related individuals.

Importantly, Sanseito doesn't work like a classical parliamentary party. Its strength is local communities – thousands of volunteers, sympathizers and tiny organizations, which together build a structure based on relationships, education and spirituality. The organization conducts lectures, meetings and training in which it resembles social movement more than the electoral machine. This format allows you to build deeper loyalty – voters not only vote, but frequently actively participate in actions.

Sanseito is not free from controversy, but it is they – paradoxically – that attract voters to her. In a time of increasing polarisation and increasing social unrest, parties who can talk strongly, clearly and unconventionally gain an advantage over more subdued competition. The election success may not only be a breakthrough for Sanseito herself, but besides a trailer of deeper transformations in Japan – a country that has remained a bastion of stableness for decades and is now increasingly open to voices of extremist change.