· 3 min read
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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