• Sanseito party increases its seats dramatically in Japan's recent elections.
• The party's agenda echoes right-wing movements in the US and Europe.
• Concerns about immigration are intertwined with economic anxieties among voters.
• Disinformation campaigns have proliferated online, impacting public perception.
• Japanese NGOs warn of increasing xenophobic sentiments due to political rhetoric.

In a significant political shift, the "Japanese first" Sanseito party has made notable gains in Japan's recent elections, increasing its seats from two to 15. This rise reflects a growing populist wave influenced by global right-wing movements, including US President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign and similar parties in Europe, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Nigel Farage's Reform party in Britain, according to thejakartapost, scmp, and dawn.

The Sanseito party's agenda focuses on "stricter rules and limits" regarding immigration, opposition to "globalism" and "radical" gender policies, and a reconsideration of decarbonization efforts, according to insights from thejakartapost and scmp. Furthermore, party leader Sohei Kamiya emphasized the need for "bringing power back to the people", tapping into public discontent with elite governance.

A striking aspect of Sanseito's messaging is its narrative surrounding immigration. Although surveys indicate that immigration ranks low on the list of voter concerns, the party attributes various social and economic issues—such as crime and rising property prices—to the influx of foreigners. Kamiya stressed, "It’s fine if they visit as tourists, but if you take in more and more foreigners... then Japanese people’s wages won’t rise," which highlights the party's populist appeal amidst economic worries, according to scmp and dawn.

Sanseito's rise has coincided with a significant increase in disinformation surrounding immigration issues. Reports claiming that foreigners contribute billions in unpaid medical bills have been debunked by local fact-checking groups. Notably, the dissemination of misinformation has been attributed to Russian bot accounts, amplifying the party's populist narrative, as noted by Ichiro Yamamoto from the Japan Institute of Law and Information Systems, according to thejakartapost, scmp, and dawn.

The implications of Sanseito's electoral success are already prompting responses from the government and other political parties, which are pledging to intensify immigration control measures. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) now aims for "zero illegal foreign nationals" and plans to enhance management of immigration policies. Activist groups are voicing concerns, warning that the party's victory has hastened the spread of xenophobia, supported by a joint statement from eight NGOs, according to thejakartapost, scmp, and dawn.