Sanseitō's Rise in Japan’s House of Councillors Election: Echoes of Global Fascism?

I'm extremely concerned about the current Japanese House of Councillors election (the equivalent of the U.S. Senate). It seems that not only the ruling LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), which is already conservative and nationalistic, will win the most seats, but also a rising far-right party called "Sanseitō" may secure the second-largest number of seats.

Their platform includes blatant opposition to same-sex marriage and the option for married couples to have different last names, claiming such changes would "destroy traditional family values" — a narrative that echoes American far-right discourse and Trump-era culture wars.

But traditions that exist only by excluding, ignoring, or oppressing minorities must be questioned — and, if necessary, dismantled. A culture built on discrimination is not worth preserving.

As someone who believes in equality, I'm angry and terrified. Japan seems to be heading further into conservative, anti-human rights territory, and many progressive voices feel powerless. I wish more people realized that bigotry isn't a "difference of opinion" — it's a form of violence.

If I were the prime minister, I’d want to make hate speech and bigotry as unacceptable as physical violence — with serious legal consequences. I dream of a country where far-right ideologies are seen the way we view viruses — something to contain, not celebrate.

Japan also has a serious problem with xenophobic hate. Some people spread harmful disinformation, portraying specific ethnic groups as inherently criminal, or claiming that foreigners are "stealing taxpayer money" through welfare benefits — even though these claims are baseless. These lies are designed to provoke fear and resentment, and for those already harboring hate, they serve as convenient justifications disguised as rational arguments.

Others argue that if the number of foreigners increases, Japan's traditions and culture will be destroyed. But that’s simply not true. Even if half of Japan's population were foreigners, Japanese culture wouldn't vanish — it would evolve and coexist. These arguments are rooted not in truth, but in prejudice and a desire to exclude.

Unlike the U.S., Japan is a nearly monoethnic country, which may be why exclusionary nationalism is especially potent here. Add to that the fact that Japan's online spaces are often described as some of the most toxic in the world — and it's no surprise that far-right support, including for parties like Sanseitō, is growing rapidly.

If this trajectory continues, xenophobia will only worsen — and with it, hatred toward LGBTQIA+ people, women, and people with disabilities. Japan may not just become a more conservative country, but one where empathy and basic human dignity are abandoned.

What would you do if your country was on the verge of collapsing, not economically — but morally?