Future generations will be able to recall turning points in historical catastrophes and remark, “That was the point where they had to hold on.” After that turning point, we’re on a downward trajectory, moving toward a society that causes a large number of victims.

In the July 2025 Upper House election, Sanseito gained substantial momentum. We believe this is our “tuning point.” We wish to block Sanseito’s rise.

Similarities with “Mein Kampf”

Sanseito advocates “Japanese first.” The following is written in the book “Sanseito Drill” (Seirindo), edited and written by Representative Sohei Kamiya:

“We should treasure the Japanese bloodline that has been passed down from our ancestors to our descendants.”

There was a politician in the past who valued bloodlines. His name was Adolf Hitler. Hitler believed that the failure to protect the bloodlines of the German people was the root of all evil. In his book “Mein Kampf,” he wrote the following:

“The poison which has invaded the national body, especially since the Thirty Years’ War, has destroyed the uniform constitution not only of our blood but also of our national soul. The open frontiers of our native country, the association with non-German foreign elements in the territories of that lie all along those frontiers, and especially the strong influx of foreign blood into the interior of the REICH itself, has presented any complete assimilation of those various elements, because the influx has continued steadily. ”

Hitler wrote “Mein Kampf” in the 1920s. In the 20 years since, Nazi Germany has brought about the worst tragedy in human history, including the genocide of the Jews.

If bloodline principle and xenophobia are combined, it will produce serious damage. Isn’t Sanseito fraught with this danger?

The danger of the Sanseito also lies in the fact that it glorifies past sacrifices.

Sanseito’s special election website refers to the kamikaze pilots as “heroes who gave their all to protect Japan.” The party’s statement goes, “Sanseito believes that it is now our turn as ordinary citizens to fight before Japan is destroyed any further.”

Those in power, from a safe position, ordered young people with promising futures to carry out missions that risk their lives. In other words, the kamikaze pilots became victims.

While emphasizing the importance of studying history and having one’s own philosophy, Kamiya said, “When you get down to it, your soul is more important than your life, and many people risk their lives to cultivate the soul” (“Sanseito that Awakens the Nation,” Seirindo Visual). Does he think that the deaths of kamikaze pilots were also the result of valuing their souls over their lives?

We believe that the only way to honor the victims of the past is to ensure that no one is ever forced to make sacrifices because of discrimination or war again.

When magma erupts 

The rise of Sanseito is due to a dysfunctional political system.

It’s been 40 years since Japan was described as the “Golden Country of Zipangu” and “all Japanese are middle class.” The number of non-regular employees is increasing, expanding the gap between them and permanent employees in big corporations. Students attend university on scholarships because their parents have poor incomes, but they graduate with debt. The social infrastructure that supports childcare and nursing care is unstable, and causing concerns about raising children and living in retirement. While politicians are riddled with corruption and desperately trying to protect themselves, Japanese society is crumbling. In these circumstances, it’s only natural that a magma of anger is bubbling up in Japanese society.

Sanseito then enters the picture. They preach that Japanese people should be prioritized above foreigners and criticize the current political parties. To sustain people’s lives, they call for access to safe healthcare and an abundant supply of food. Not surprisingly, magma erupts and the public applauds. Once magma erupts, the veracity of the information is no longer important. Public opinion gets out of control.

The rise of Nazi Germany was also fueled by the economic collapse that followed World War I. Hitler was a dictator, yet the people’s support for the Nazis through elections propelled him to power.

If the discontent in society is not directed appropriately, it can lead to serious issues.

As a practitioner of journalism

In the face of the rise of Sanseito, Japanese newspapers and television are not functioning adequately.

In light of the 2024 Hyogo Prefectural Gubernatorial election, in which fake information was rampant, the media organizations should have reflected on the need to criticize what needs to be criticized, rather than being confined to “excessive fairness” during the election. The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association even issued a “Statement on the Internet and Election Reporting” on June 12, 2025. Even so, there is a lack of reporting that directly criticizes the claims and lies made by Sanseito.

Tansa, as a journalistic organization, is opposed to the rise of Sanseito. We want to protect this democratic society that places fundamental human rights as a central value and is built through countless sacrifices around the globe throughout history. And as a member of that same society, our question to you is, “Would you still choose Sanseito?”

July 17, 2025

Tokyo Investigative Newsroom Tansa

(Originally published in Japanese on July 17, 2025. Translation by Mana Shibata.)

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