How did a right-wing populist party that began on YouTube win big in Japan’s recent election?

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Japan’s right-wing populist Sanseito party, founded on YouTube during the pandemic, won 14 seats in Japan’s upper house elections on July 20 — a sharp rise from just one seat previously
• Campaigning on a “Japanese First” platform, Sanseito capitalised on public frustrations over immigration, tourism, stagnant wages and inflation
• The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost its upper house majority, deepening pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign, though he has vowed to remain

🔭 The context: Sanseito was created in 2020 by Sohei Kamiya, a former supermarket manager, and built its base online by blending pandemic-era conspiracy theories with nationalist, anti-immigration rhetoric
• Japan’s foreign resident population has risen to nearly 3.8 million, and record tourist numbers have raised concerns over overtourism and resource strain
• The LDP, which has governed almost continuously since the 1950s, also lost its lower house majority last year, signalling growing voter discontent

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Sanseito’s rise illustrates how populist movements can gain traction amid social and economic pressures, potentially shaping Japan’s approach to immigration, energy and climate policy
• The party backs renewable energy but also advocates a rollback of vaccines and tighter immigration controls — policies with significant implications for labour markets and public health
• Its nationalistic tone could complicate Japan’s international climate and trade cooperation

⏭️ What's next: Prime Minister Ishiba faces calls to resign but is expected to remain in office at least until he negotiates with Washington over impending U.S. tariffs due August 1
• Sanseito’s showing, while far from a majority, gives it a platform to push anti-immigration legislation and influence debates on security, energy and the economy
• The LDP will likely intensify efforts to rebuild support, possibly through cabinet reshuffles or policy concessions, while Japan’s political landscape may become increasingly fragmented in the months ahead

💬 One quote: “The public came to understand that the media was wrong and Sanseito was right,” — Sohei Kamiya, Sanseito leader, after the election results

📈 One stat: Japan’s foreign resident population grew from 2.23 million in 2015 to 3.77 million in 2025 — an increase of nearly 70% over a decade, yet still just 3% of the population

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