Cross-border investigative journalism from Japan

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Now, we have launched our new series, "Japan Towards Ultranationalism."

In the July 2025 Upper House election, the far-right Sanseito Party, which advocates "Japanese First," increased its seats from one to 14. Sanseito received 7,425,053 votes in the proportional representation system. Sanseito is now the third-largest political party in Japan. Japan is now heading toward ultranationalism.

What is the Sanseito?

Sanseito was founded in 2020. Initially, Sanseito advocated anti-vaccination policies and conspired with conspiracy theorists to gain support from people concerned about medical and food safety. 

Later, Sanseito promoted anti-globalism, racism, and xenophobia, achieving unexpected gains in the July 2025 election. Tansa is concerned that the current social and political situation in Japan resembles Germany's before the Nazis rose to power.

Resonance with far-right parties around the world

Sanseito's characteristics include xenophobia, racism, gender discrimination, historical revisionism, conspiracy theories, and spreading misinformation. These characteristics are common to neo-Nazi and far-right parties around the world.

At a press conference before the election, when asked about "like-minded political parties in other countries," the Representative Sohei Kamiya cited the conservative wing of the Republican Party in the United States, the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany, and the National Rally (RN) in France. Furthermore, as can be seen from his slogan, “Japanese First,” he is showing a willingness to follow the policies of the U.S. President Donald Trump.

Sanseito collaborates with AfD

In August 2025, the Representative of Sanseito, Sohei Kamiya met with Tino Chrupalla, co-chairman of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). 

They discussed foreign policy, and Chrupalla invited Kamiya to visit Germany, saying, "I want you to see the cities where there are too many immigrants." Kamiya expressed his intention to visit Germany.

Although Sanseito has shown its affiliation with far-right parties overseas, most Japanese voters still do not recognize Sanseito as a far-right party.

The need for international cooperation for democracy

Tansa, as a journalistic organization and a member of a democratic society based on fundamental human rights and built through countless sacrifices around the globe throughout history, is opposed to the rise of the political party Sanseito. 

As far-right parties move toward international collaboration, we journalists and citizens must also work together internationally. We will continue to report on this issue.  

A New Addition to Tansa

We are pleased to announce that Yuua Yukawa has joined Tansa as a full-time member of our management staff. 

Yuua believes that diligent and persistent investigative reporting plays an important role in strengthening democracy. As a member of the Tansa, she contributes to its mission by supporting the organization through general affairs, accounting, and labor management.

Until now, Tansa had no dedicated management staff. Reporters handled general affairs and accounting duties themselves. With my joining, reporters can now focus on reporting and produce more articles. 

We can expand our team thanks to our supporters. We, Tansa appreciate that your continued support expands our team.

We sincerely ask for your continued support.  

Thank you.  

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