Author: MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press, ABC News
Published on: 02/10/2025 | 01:53:35
AI Summary:
Sohei Kamiya, head of the surging nationalist party Sanseito, criticizes Japan’s growing foreign population. As opponents, separated by uniformed police and bodyguards, accuse him of racism. The populist surge comes as Japan sees a record surge of foreigners needed to bolster its shrinking workforce. Japanese people tolerate foreigners who respect the “Japanese way” but those who cling to their own customs are not accepted because they intimidate, cause stress and anger the Japanese, Kamiya said. All five candidates competing in the Liberal Democratic Party leadership vote to replace outgoing Shigeru Ishiba as prime minister are vowing tougher measures on foreigners. Japan’s foreign population last year hit a new high of more than 3.7 million. That’s only about 3% of the country’s population. The foreign workforce tripled over the past decade to a record 2.3 million last year. Japan will need three times more foreign workers by 2040 to achieve 1.24% annual growth. Without these workers, the Japanese economy, including the farming, fishing and service sectors, will become paralyzed. Sanseito started in 2020 when Kamiya began attracting people on YouTube and social media. Kamiya has compared his party to far-right parties such as the Alternative for Germany party (AfD), the National Rally of France and Britain’s Reform UK. His priority, he said, is to further expand his support base.
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