Populist ideals, mirroring movements like "Make America Great Again," are gaining significant traction in Japan, as evidenced by the "Japanese first" Sanseito party's surge from 2 to 15 seats in the recent upper house election.

Sanseito, founded on YouTube, champions an anti-globalist agenda that includes "stricter rules and limits" on immigration and foreign capital, opposition to "radical" gender policies, and skepticism on decarbonization and vaccines. While voters are more concerned with inflation, Sanseito blames immigration for various societal ills, despite official debunking of related disinformation.

Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya, who denies being "pro-Russia" despite controversial remarks on the Ukraine war, asserts they are not exclusionary. However, their rise has prompted the ruling LDP to adopt stricter immigration rhetoric. Critics warn of rapidly spreading xenophobia and question the longevity of Sanseito's support, though its success marks a significant shift in Japan's traditionally stable political landscape.