32 candidates were running for seven seats in the Tokyo constituency for the Upper House election in July 2025.

TV and newspaper polls showed that Saya from Sanseito was in the lead. She is a jazz singer and has appeared on YouTube shows hosted by conservative media. In her election speeches, she focused on revitalizing the economy and abolishing the consumption tax.

But is Saya really on the side of everyday people?

When Tansa investigated her comments on shows and social media, we found that she promoted nuclear weapons, revised history, and expressed unfounded prejudice against working women.

Why Tansa opposes Sanseito. Here is our declaration.

 

Tansa, as a Media Organization, Declares That We Are Against the Sanseito to Protect Basic Human Rights and Democracy

Saya gives a speech in front of Yotsuya Station. There were many people in the audience who were protesting Sanseito. (Photo by Kotaro Chigira on July 18, 2025)

⚫︎I believe Japanese people have a very high level of morality. When it comes to having and raising children, Japanese people want to provide their children with a good environment, a good education, and so on. While in other countries, single mothers don’t hesitate to have children, and France has that option as well. Japanese people have a very strong sense of caring for their children. Even looking at history, that is the case. (YouTube “[Upper House Election] Sanseito’s Saya emerges as the top in the Tokyo electoral district poll [Takaaki Mitsuhashi x Daily WiLL]” July 6, 2025)

⚫︎The underlying idea of those who advocate separate surnames for married couples is the separation of parents and children, especially mothers and children. That is why I strongly believe this must be stopped. (X post on March 1, 2025)

⚫︎(Regarding working mothers) No one, especially a child, wants to interact with a mother wearing a mask. The real face of their mother. (YouTube “[A collection of tanka poems about working mothers] Children want their mothers to exist only for them” July 15, 2025)

⚫︎After all, a strong Japan and regional stability in Asia are crucial. I believe Japan has to have a robust military and economy. If Japan doesn’t firmly grasp and establish these two pillars, the balance of power in Asia will be disrupted, which will result in war. …I believe that if Japan doesn’t regain its strength, it will be harmful to the world. (YouTube “[Sanseito] Saya, a member of the Ice Age generation abandoned by the Japanese government, rages at the Ministry of Finance: “Don’t underestimate Japan!” [Daily WiLL] June 2, 2025)

⚫︎In his Tamogami Essay, Toshio Tamogami wrote that Japan fought for the sake of Southeast Asian countries in the last war. And that Japan created the momentum to secure their independence by becoming a hostage of the United States. He also stated that Japan was a good country while he was still Chief of Staff. When this essay became controversial and he was summoned to the Diet, Tamogami said he had no intention of denying the contents of the essay. He stated with confidence that Japan was a good country. Seeing Tamogami like that, for the first time, I saw the back of a trustworthy adult. (YouTube “7/15 Saya’s Speech in Chofu. Yukihisa Oikawa, Toshio Tamogami, Tadanobu Bando, Rina Yoshikawa.” July 15, 2025)

⚫︎When we think about our own defense capabilities and the extent to which we can utilize them for our country, possessing nuclear weapons means that even North Korea could reach a position in the international community where it can speak with President Trump, and to negotiate with him. If we consider that it could get to that situation, I believe that nuclear armament would be the cheapest option and one of the most effective ways to strengthen security. (YouTube “[Upper House Election Live] Saya, Sanseito, Miyuka Nishi, Social Democratic Party, Eiji Kosaka, Japanese Conservative Party [Conference on Who to Vote for ~Upper House Election 2025 Tokyo Constituency~]” July 3, 2025)

⚫︎Serving in the military can teach and experience things that are not taught in the classroom. It’s like a complementary part that education can’t provide, and just like in Japan, there are the “Masurao” and “Taoyame,”* military service allows you to experience the “Masurao” aspect, thus I believe it has an educational role. …I believe that unless there is a sincere desire for national independence, or rather, a sincere desire for it, and unless there is a rise in awareness among politicians and bureaucrats, as well as the general public, it will be very difficult. However, I also feel that nuclear armament might be one way to completely change this mindset, and I would like to continue discussing this. (YouTube “Three Sisters: Thinking about ‘Conscription’ through Adult Morality” July 13, 2023)

*Masurao refers to “brave and heroic man” and Taoyame refers to “delicate woman.” In Japanese classical literature such as waka poetry, those terms were used to contrast masculine and feminine styles of poetry.

(Originally published in Japanese on July 19, 2025. Translation by Mana Shibata.)

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