Sleeves rolled up and perched atop his campaign vehicle, Sohei Kamiya was a familiar sight in Tokyo as he railed against the political establishment in the run-up to Japan’s upper house elections. He drew applause from admirers, and grimaces from those fearful of his divisive brand of “Japanese first” politics – inspired by his natural ally, Donald Trump.
Kamiya’s political party, Sanseito – literally the “political participation party” – has been described as far-right, ultraconservative and nationalist – with migrants, the “liberal elite” and foreign capital the objects of its anger. Its nickname – the do-it-yourself party – speaks to its role, it says, as a place for self-starters who have grown tired of the Japanese political mainstream.
