Latest news with #SoheiKamiya
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Sanseito populist party requires press conference preregistration
Sanseito party leader Sohei Kamiya speaks to members of the media at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on July 20. Japan's opposition Sanseito party has informed news organizations that preregistration is required for attendance at regular press conferences by its leader, fueling concern that it is undermining freedom of the press and the public's right to know. The right-wing party headed by Sohei Kamiya, which has gained popularity under its "Japanese First" banner, sent an email to media outlets on Wednesday with a form asking for company affiliation, name, phone number and other personal details. The form includes a warning that individuals who have previously "disrupted" Sanseito press events or "caused disturbances" may be denied access. Admission is only possible after checking a box to indicate agreement with the party's stated terms and conditions. Freelance reporters are required to upload an image of a government-issued photo identification document, such as a driver's license or passport, to complete registration. In July, Sanseito denied entry to a reporter from the Kanagawa Shimbun, citing past disruptive behavior. The Yokohama-based newspaper later issued a statement saying the claim was factually inaccurate and unacceptable. Launched in 2020, Sanseito gained traction among conservatives with nationalistic, anti-globalist and anti-establishment views in the July 20 House of Councillors election. Kamiya has slammed globalization as the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks, and the number of overseas workers has grown excessively. © KYODO
Tokyo Weekender
6 days ago
- Politics
- Tokyo Weekender
Japanese Population Shrinks by 900,000 as Foreign Residents See Record Rise
According to figures released by the Internal Affairs Ministry on Wednesday, the population of Japanese nationals fell to just over 120.65 million in 2024. That's around 908,000 fewer than the previous year, a record drop. At 0.75%, it's also the largest rate of decline since record-keeping began 57 years ago. A total of 46 prefectures saw a decrease in numbers. The only place that didn't was Tokyo, which saw an increase of 0.13%. Japanese Population Decreases for 16th Consecutive Year The population of Japanese residents peaked at 127 million in 2009. Since then, it has been declining year-on-year and is forecast to fall below 120 million in 2026. The nation's total population for 2024 was a little over 124.33 million, down 0.44% (554,485) from a year earlier. As for the number of foreigners living in Japan, the number rose by more than 350,000 to 3.77 million. It's the largest increase since the ministry started keeping records of overseas residents in 2013. Due to a rapidly aging population and plunging birth rates, Japan has increasingly been opening its doors to workers from overseas in recent years. This rise in foreign residents and how to deal with them became a major topic of discussion during the recent Upper House election as the ultranationalist right-wing party Sanseito won over voters with its assertion that Japan is being threatened by a 'silent invasion' of foreigners. Led by Sohei Kamiya , it secured 14 seats, having held just one before the election. Number of Births in Japan Hits Record Low The country, though, is facing a population crisis and immigration is seen by many as the only viable potential solution to the problem. The government here has launched various initiatives to encourage couples to have children. None of them have had any impact. According to ministry figures, only 687,689 babies were born in Japan in 2024, a record low. In contrast, the number of deaths reached a record high of almost 1.6 million last year. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Related Posts Japan's Population Forecast to Plunge by 30% Over the Next Five Decades Japan on Brink of Social Dysfunction Due to Falling Birth Rate Warns PM Nagoro: Japan's 'Scarecrow Village' Where Dolls Outnumber Residents
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Sanseito populist party requires press conference preregistration
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's opposition Sanseito party has informed news organizations that preregistration is required for attendance at regular press conferences by its leader, fueling concern that it is undermining freedom of the press and the public's right to know. The right-wing party headed by Sohei Kamiya, which has gained popularity under its "Japanese First" banner, sent an email to media outlets on Wednesday with a form asking for company affiliation, name, phone number and other personal details. The form includes a warning that individuals who have previously "disrupted" Sanseito press events or "caused disturbances" may be denied access. Admission is only possible after checking a box to indicate agreement with the party's stated terms and conditions. Freelance reporters are required to upload an image of a government-issued photo identification document, such as a driver's license or passport, to complete registration. In July, Sanseito denied entry to a reporter from the Kanagawa Shimbun, citing past disruptive behavior. The Yokohama-based newspaper later issued a statement saying the claim was factually inaccurate and unacceptable. Launched in 2020, Sanseito gained traction among conservatives with nationalistic, anti-globalist and anti-establishment views in the July 20 House of Councillors election. Kamiya has slammed globalization as the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks, and the number of overseas workers has grown excessively.
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Anti-discrimination Japanese politician refuses to ‘shut up'
A Japanese politician who campaigns against discrimination is refusing to 'shut up' after her local assembly passed a motion requesting that she stop posting on social media with her official title. Megumi Fukushima, an independent lawmaker in the city assembly of Tsurugashima, northwest of Tokyo, has denounced prejudice against immigrants and women on X and other platforms. This has included criticizing the right-wing 'Japanese first' Sanseito party, which did well in last month's upper house elections. But her comments have prompted dozens of complaints from the public to the assembly, as well as a message on the city's website threatening to kill Fukushima and bomb city hall. The city assembly passed the motion on Monday after she rejected a request from the chairperson to stop posting on social media with her official title. 'The resolution does not limit her to share her opinions, but asks her not to use her assembly title,' an assembly official told AFP on Wednesday. But Fukushima has kept her title in her posts on X. On Monday, she posted that she would 'not shut up', saying the resolution 'infringes on her freedom of speech.' The anti-immigration Sanseito party's agenda echoes other populist movements such as US President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again.' Immigration levels in Japan remain very low compared to other rich economies and surveys put it far down the list of voters' concerns. On Tuesday, Sanseito's leader Sohei Kamiya posted on X a photo of him meeting in Japan with Tino Chrupalla, the co-leader of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party. 'When I explained the policies and stance of Sanseito, he told me 'Please stick to that course',' Kamiya said.
Asahi Shimbun
7 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Sanseito leader meets in Tokyo with co-head of Germany's AfD
The head of Sanseito, the rising opposition party with a 'Japanese First' agenda, touted a message of support he received from the joint leader of a controversial German far-right party. In a post on the social media platform X on Aug. 5, Sohei Kamiya said he exchanged views with Tino Chrupalla of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) for an hour at his office in the Diet in Tokyo the same day. 'I explained Sanseito's policies and stance and received a message of encouragement: 'I want you to stay firmly on that path,'' he wrote. 'I hope to visit Europe soon.' Sanseito, which was formed in 2020, captured 14 seats in the July 20 Upper House election. It had only one seat up for re-election. The AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, has been gaining momentum with its hostile stance toward immigrants and refugees. It became the country's second-largest party for the first time in the general election held in February, doubling its share of the vote from the previous poll. In May, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, temporarily designated the AfD as a 'right-wing extremist' group. The Social Democratic Party of Germany, a member of the country's ruling coalition, has stated that the AfD's platform may be unconstitutional. (This article was written by Takashi Kida and Taro Saito.)
