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The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan right-wing party Sanseito's talk of prewar imperial rescript in teaching stirs unease
TOKYO -- The right-wing populist party Sanseito, which gained seats in the July 20 House of Councillors election, has quietly stirred waves in Japan's education sector by advocating "respect for the Imperial Rescript on Education." The Imperial Rescript on Education, issued in 1890 by Emperor Meiji, outlined the virtues that the "subjects" of the Japanese Empire were expected to uphold. It served as the spiritual backbone of national education, and its recitation was compulsory in Japanese schools before World War II. After Japan's defeat in the war and the promulgation of a new Constitution that established sovereignty of the people, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution abolishing the Imperial Rescript on Education on the grounds that it undermined fundamental human rights based on its concepts of the rule of a sovereign and a mythological national structure, and the House of Councillors passed a resolution confirming its invalidity. For a long time after the war, it was regarded in educational circles as a taboo educational philosophy. However, Sanseito has proposed its own constitutional draft stating that "the Imperial Rescript on Education and other historical imperial edicts must be respected in education," though it remains unclear whether this could actually be carried out. At a press conference on July 22 following the election results, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Toshiko Abe countered the idea, stating, "It is unacceptable to use the Imperial Rescript on Education in ways that contradict the Constitution and the Basic Act on Education." It is unlikely that the current administration would revive such an approach either. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns within the education ministry. "There is a very strong sense of crisis. I don't want to believe that voters understood such extreme claims when they voted ..." said one official, expressing caution regarding a passage from the "New Japanese Constitution (draft)" published on Sanseito's website. In its public pledge, Sanseito proposes the "abolition of managed education focusing on deviation scores." It also promises appealing measures such as "expansion of scholarships," "development of educational environments that cater to individuality," and "improvement of compensation packages for teachers." On the other hand, Article 9, Section 4 of its proposal states: "The Imperial Rescript on Education, historical imperial edicts, patriotism, food and health, regional festivals and great figures, and traditional events must be respected in education." Similar instances have occurred in the past. In 2006, the first administration of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revised the Basic Act on Education to include a new objective of "fostering the value of respect for tradition and culture and love of the country and regions that have nurtured us," which drew criticism. Under the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government, moral aspects like filial piety and family love have often been emphasized, and the appropriateness of incorporating such aspects in educational materials has become an issue. The issue is not limited to Sanseito; there are also a considerable number of people within the LDP's right wing who share similar views. The aforementioned ministry official remarked, "It's hard to imagine that the increase in Sanseito's seats will immediately lead to discussions in the Diet about reviving the Imperial Rescript on Education, but Sanseito might claim that since they have increased their seats they have gained public support, including for their constitutional proposal." In upcoming sessions of the Diet, important educational bills, such as the tuition-free policy for private high schools, the introduction of digital textbooks, and the promotion of 35-student classes in junior high schools, are expected to be deliberated. It remains to be seen whether there will be room for Sanseito's proposals in these discussions. A mid-level official at the ministry views some of Sanseito's claims as having an element of agitation, noting, "It's uncertain how far they intend to go in implementing them as policies." However, the official added, "There is a need to closely monitor whether changes in the political power balance will lead to educational policies being used as bargaining chips."
Japan Forward
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Who's Afraid of Sanseito? Japan's New Conservative Party and Its Policies
As Japan heads into a national election, one unexpected political force is gaining ground – Sanseito (参政党). This relatively new party has stunned observers by polling as high as second place in some surveys, trailing only the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Foreign media have often dubbed Sanseito "far-right" for its nationalist slogans and sharp anti-globalist rhetoric. However, a closer look at the party's platform and philosophy reveals a more nuanced conservative agenda. It emphasizes traditional values, national sovereignty, and a pushback against what the party sees as the excesses of globalism. Founded in March 2020, Sanseito (meaning "Political Participation Party") was established by a group of conservative activists led by Sohei Kamiya. In the 2022 House of Councillors election, Sanseito fielded candidates nationwide and garnered over 2% of the vote. This earned the party its first seat in Japan's National Diet and official recognition as a political party. Since then, its presence has grown. As of mid-2025, the party holds two seats in the Upper House, three in the Lower House, and boasts over a hundred local assembly members across Japan. Sanseito's rapid rise from obscurity has been fueled by savvy use of social media, outdoor rallies, and an appeal to voters disillusioned with mainstream politics. In early July 2025, a Kyodo News poll even placed Sanseito second in voter preferences for Diet seats determined by nationwide proportional representation. Sankei Shimbun journalist Takashi Arimoto commented on this in the July 15 episode of Nippon Journal . "Sanseito's local ground game is strong," he said. "It's been built through their experience in LDP-aligned municipal networks. That's why in conservative areas like Toyama, the LDP is unexpectedly struggling against them." Sanseito proclaims itself a party championing tradition, family, and national pride. Central to its ideology is a reverence for the Emperor and Japan's heritage. Unlike more extreme nationalist groups, Sanseito embraces the legacy of the Meiji Restoration (1868) and the modern nation it created. The party "positions the Emperor-centric system as fundamental" to Japan and views Meiji-era modernization as a revival of the national polity , forming the basis of its conservative vision. This means Sanseito supports patriotic education and the revival of certain pre-war values, but within a modern context. For example, it praises the 1890 Imperial Rescript on Education for its universal moral principles. The party hopes to introduce updated moral education in schools, not to literally reinstate Meiji-era edicts, but to re-inculcate ethics and love of country in today's youth. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya gives a street speech. July 5, Osaka (©Sankei by Koichi Yamada) Crucially, Sanseito distinguishes itself from outright revisionist or ultranationalist factions. It does not glorify Japan's past militarism or seek to overturn the postwar democratic order. While Sanseito is critical of the prevailing postwar guilt narrative and one-sided critiques of Japan's wartime actions, it remains careful about assigning war responsibility. The party's view is to learn from the war's lessons for the future rather than to defend or romanticize Japan's wartime regime. Unlike hardline revisionists, Sanseito does not claim Japan was entirely in the right during WWII, nor does it adopt an anti-American or anti-Allies tone. In essence, Sanseito falls just slightly to the right of the stance held by the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, advocating pride in Japan's history and traditions. This more balanced historical perspective is a key point that sets Sanseito apart from the "far-right" label. In a recent interview with journalist Shinichiro Suda, Kamiya explained, "We don't want to whitewash the past. However, the younger generation deserves to learn about Japan's achievements and ideals, not just its mistakes. We want a balanced education that fosters national pride." He added that, "Our goal isn't regression — it's renewal." One of Sanseito's most talked-about positions is its "Japanese First" (日本人ファースト in Japanese) platform on immigration and national sovereignty. The party proposes tighter immigration controls, including setting a cap on foreign entrants and even establishing systems to check the loyalty to Japan of long-term foreign residents. Sanseito's policy book devotes substantial attention to managing foreign residency. It lists measures such as suspending welfare payments to non-citizens, restricting foreigners from holding sensitive public sector jobs, and establishing a dedicated government agency to oversee policies related to foreigners. Additionally, it advocates for limiting foreign ownership of Japanese land, particularly in strategic areas, due to security and cultural concerns. These stances have drawn criticism from liberal observers, who argue they risk fomenting xenophobia. Opponents often brand Sanseito's rhetoric as anti-immigrant or exclusionary. Indeed, the party's campaign catchphrase echoes the nationalist slogan of prioritizing one's own citizens, a concept that has parallels in movements overseas. Sanseito, however, defends this approach as common-sense patriotism rather than racism. "This is Japan — so shouldn't we create a system that genuinely serves the Japanese people?" asked Kamiya at a July 2025 rally. "Isn't it only natural to design our economic and tax policies to put our own citizens first?" In his view, prioritizing Japanese citizens in policy, from social welfare to job opportunities, is no different from other countries looking out for their national interests. Notably, Sanseito's rise has even pushed mainstream parties to take tougher stances on foreign residents. For example, the ruling LDP recently vowed to achieve "zero illegal foreigners" and to scrutinize foreign land purchases, moves widely seen as a response to Sanseito's popularity. On a July 11 episode of the internet news program Tora no Mon News , NHK Party candidate Satoshi Hamada observed: "Sanseito is clearly riding the backlash against LDP and Komeito's overly conciliatory immigration policies," he said. "It's 'Japanese First' position resonates especially with younger voters online." Sanseito's platform also emphasizes rebuilding Japan's social fabric through education reform, support for families, and health-conscious policy. One of the party's three core policy "pillars" is education. The party calls for strengthening traditional culture and ethics in school curricula, providing additional support for parents and children, and reversing the declining number of births. For instance, the party proposes generous child allowances and scholarships (with priority given to Japanese citizens) so that economic hardship does not deter child-rearing or education. It also advocates more diverse schooling options, such as free schools and even homeschooling, to accommodate children who don't thrive in standard classrooms. The underlying aim is to empower families and local communities to pass on values, rather than leaving everything to what Sanseito sees as a one-size-fits-all state education system. In terms of public health and food policy, Sanseito pushes for what it calls "food and health sovereignty." This includes promoting organic agriculture, reducing reliance on imported food, and maintaining Japan's high food safety standards. It opposes the privatization of essential services, such as the postal system and municipal water, instead advocating for government control over infrastructure critical to daily life. Sohei Kamiya, at the Japan National Press Club. Tokyo, July 2 (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai). The party gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its skepticism toward certain public health mandates. It vocally opposed blanket mask mandates, mass PCR testing, and vaccine requirements. Sanseito framed these measures as examples of government overreach influenced by global agendas, instead emphasizing personal health autonomy. The party's focus on natural food, preventive care, and self-sufficiency in essentials resonates with voters who are wary of globalization's impact on everyday life, from imported food additives to reliance on foreign supply chains for medicine. Sanseito even touts ambitious goals like achieving 100% food self-sufficiency through supporting domestic farmers and widespread organic farming. Experts, however, question the practicality of such goals. Organic methods generally yield less, and a full return to local farming might be unrealistic in a modern economy. Key proposals include lowering taxes, investing in rural public works, and protecting farmers and small businesses. Some ideas, like treating farmers as quasi-public employees, even echo policies found on the Japanese left. But what ties these proposals together is nationalism, not socialism. Their aim is to prevent Japan's wealth and sovereignty from flowing abroad, even if it means tolerating higher domestic costs. Sanseido's platform is reshaping Japanese politics by blending conservatism, populism, and grassroots activism while working within democratic norms. Understanding the new party on its own terms, rather than through stereotypes, is essential to making sense of where Japan's political map may be headed next. Author: Daniel Manning
