122: 80 Years Later, Japan’s Big Problem (1)

【People’s Choice】
In any national election, who we vote for reveals the state of the nation. It reflects people's thoughts, attitudes, and values.
 
While many agree that Japan’s general election last October dealt a huge loss for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), it still remains the largest and continues to hold power. [See #116]
 
Last month’s upper house election produced similar results.
 
Here are the vote shares from the upper house election, with the previous general election results in parentheses for comparison:
 

• Conservatives (LDP, Komeito, Ishin, Kokumin, Sanseito, CPJ): Total 71.1% (62.5%)
• Liberals (Constitutional Dems-CDP, JCP, Reiwa, Social Dems): Total 28.9% (37.5%)

 
This marks a landslide 42.2%pts victory for the conservatives--an even wider margin than the 25.0%pts seen in the last general election. It’s a clear sign of Japan’s further rightward shift.
 
To put this in perspective, consider the national popular vote from the most recent US presidential election:
 

• Trump: 49.8% vs Harris: 48.3% → 1.5%pt conservative win

 
While conservatives won in both countries, the margin of victory highlights a stark contrast: a staggering 25.0 to 42.2%pts in Japan versus just 1.5%pts in the US.
 
That narrow margin in the US offers a glimmer of hope--not only for many Americans, but also for liberals around the world--as it signals the potential for a liberal comeback, much like the one that brought us the Biden administration.
 
Now, back to Japan’s upper house election.
 
One of the most alarming developments is the rise of Sanseito, a party known for rhetoric and behavior disturbingly reminiscent of Militarist Japan. It came in second overall in total votes, trailing only the LDP.
 
Here are the top five parties by vote share:
 

1. LDP:            24.7%
2. Sanseito:  15.1%
3. CDP:           14.9%
4. Kokumin: 13.4%
5. Komeito:     7.6%

 
In this 80th year since the end of World War II, the fading collective memory of that tragedy is increasingly evident in this election outcome. A genuine disappointment, it reveals the thoughts, attitudes, and values of many who disregard fundamental human rights.
 
Why is this so concerning?
 
Because Sanseito, mimicking the cruel immaturity of Trumpism, pushes a “Japanese People First” ideology. It promotes xenophobia/nationalism, spreads conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine mis/disinformation, and frequently targets women, foreigners, and LGBTQ individuals with discriminatory rhetoric.
 
Worse still, their platform includes reviving the Imperial Rescript on Education (a key text from Militarist Japan), imposing a family-state ideology rooted in Emperor worship, denying established historical facts about Japan’s wartime aggression, stripping pacifist clauses from the Constitution, and glorifying the act of killing other humans “for your country” in war.
 
These policies veer dangerously toward fascism, seeking to force people into obedience through authoritarian power. In essence, Sanseito appears intent on reshaping Japan into a nation once again capable--and perhaps willing--to go to war, echoing its militarist past. [See #4], [#84]
 
This isn’t entirely new. Groups like Nippon Kaigi--to which most LDP central figures belong--and the rising populist party Ishin have long advocated similar views. [See #65]
 
So why, then, do so many Japanese citizens continue to vote for these conservative parties?
 
That’s the question we’ll explore in the next post.

Read Next: 80 Years Later, Japan’s Big Problem (2)【Even in Urban Cities】
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Read Theme: Violence/Peace