Sanseitō, or the Political Participation Party, is a Japanese political movement founded in 2020. A YouTube project aimed at showing how to create a political party from scratch, it embodies an ultra-conservative and populist current on the far right of the Japanese political spectrum. Since its creation, the party has gradually won seats in Parliament and draws attention to its positions on culture, immigration and social rights. This article offers a comprehensive analysis of Sanseitō, from its origins to its current policies, in order to better understand its impact on the Japanese political scene.
Origins and foundation of the Sanseito
Sanseitō was officially created on 17 March 2020 by Sohei Kamiya and other co-founders. The initial project was based on the YouTube channel “Political Party DIY”, designed to show how to form a political party from scratch. The stated objective was to respond to the sentiment of many citizens: the absence of a political party representative of their expectations. The party quickly gained visibility through videos and interventions on social networks, mainly targeting a young and politically under-engaged audience.
Ideology and political positioning
Sanseitō is defined as an ultra-conservative, nationalist and populist party. He strongly opposes immigration and promotes a policy called “Japan first”. The party criticizes the current constitutional system, which emerged from the American occupation, and proposes a new text that severely limits human rights and individual freedom. Its policies include strengthening self-defence forces, reducing taxes and protecting economic orientation. Sanseitō attracts voters disillusioned by traditional parties and those concerned about demographic and cultural changes.
Social and cultural policies of Sanseito
Sanseitō adopts conservative positions on social issues. The party opposes homosexual marriage, LGBT rights and gender equality reforms. It promotes patriotic education focused on the valorization of national history, particularly on the imperial era and past wars. The party also wants to strengthen the control of cultural content, including manga, anime and video games, to align cultural production with its nationalist values.
Public health and disinformation
Sanseitō is known for its controversial positions on public health. During the VOCID-19 pandemic, he promoted disputed information about vaccines and wearing the mask. These positions have helped to mobilize a sceptical electorate towards health measures, particularly among young people and families. The party used social media to spread its messages, playing on the political fatigue and the sense of marginalization of certain voter groups.
International relations and defence
At the diplomatic and military level, Sanseitō defends a strengthening of national defence and opposes the American military presence in Japan. The party proposes a constitutional reform allowing Japan to decide its security policy without external constraints and even envisages the creation of a nuclear army. Relations with Russia have been pointed out, but the party denies any official link. On the energy front, it minimizes the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and challenges international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.
Electoral impact and popular support
Since its foundation, Sanseitō has won seats in the Japanese Parliament, including several seats in the 2025 elections. The party mainly attracts young voters and those who feel poorly represented by traditional parties. Its success depends on emotional communication, focusing on mistrust of elites and established policies, rather than strictly logical arguments. This strategy has expanded its electoral base, while generating criticism of its programme as discriminatory or conspiracyist.
Sanseitō illustrates the emergence of an ultraconservative political movement in Japan, combining populism, nationalism and digital communication strategies. Its impact on the Japanese political landscape shows how new forms of mobilization can emerge by exploiting social discontent, social networks and emotional themes. Understanding this party is essential to analyze the evolution of contemporary politics in Japan and the dynamics that influence young voters and public policies.
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