Support for same-sex marriage by political party. Image credit: Marriage For All Japan – 結婚の自由をすべての人に マリフォー

🧵 Typical Fuji TV stupidity. Title is “should there be restrictions on foreigners buying homes?, for a major debate with the PM and all party leaders. As if this was one of the most pressing issues.

Onoda Kimi, one of the most right-wing and anti-immigrant LDP MPs, is also half American, half Japanese, and comes from an international background.

We really went from Ishiba Summer to Sanseito Summer, huh?

A friend of mine who works in Japanese politics downplays the rise of Sanseitō. According to him, we should only start taking Sanseitō seriously if they can win 10 seats or more on July 20th. I personally agree with his perspective.

Sanseito moves into second place.

🇯🇵 Projected seats, Asahi Shimbun estimate 🟩 LDP: 32–46 seats, −31 to −17 ☀️ Komeito: 4–10 seats, −9 to −3 🟦 CDP: 23–33 seats, +7 to +17 🟧 Sanseito: 9–17 seats, +8 to +16 🟨 DPFP: 9–17 seats, +4 to +12 🍃 Ishin: 5–9 seats, −7 to −3 🟪 Reiwa: 3–5 seats, 0 to +2 🟥

“Once the Supreme Court rules something unconstitutional, at that point, parliament will have no choice but to act exactly as directed.” japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/05/0…

Japan, Mainichi Poll: House of Councillors seat projection LDP (Conservative): 39 (-18) CDP (Centre-left): 28 (+11) Sansei (Right) 13 (+13) ... +/- 2019 House of Councillors election Fieldwork: 5-6 July 2025 Sample Size: 5,430 respondents ➤ asiaelects.com/Japan/ #Japan

I’ve been shocked by how often I’ve heard Japanese people say things like, “I don’t care if the economy or society collapses—I just don’t want foreigners here.” As Japan gradually opens up, expect xenophobia to grow even more visibly.

This image, created by the Conservative Party of Japan, does a surprisingly good job of tracking the movements of Japan’s far-right voters. Right now, Sanseito is popular—but once they disappoint the far-right, the CPJ is likely their next stop.

There’s only one politician the LDP can elevate to Prime Minister to keep the far-right within the party—but at what cost? How many centrists and center-right voters would abandon the party if Takaichi became PM?

The Tokyo High Court will issue its verdict in the second same-sex marriage lawsuit on November 28, 2025. This will be the final High Court ruling before Japan’s Supreme Court takes up the issue. 🌈

Over 10,000 People Sent to Hospital in Japan due to Heatstroke Last Week barrierfreejapan.com/2025/07/09/ove… via Barrier Free Japan

I’m holding off on most predictions given how unpredictable this year’s upper house election is. That said, one seems safe: the ruling coalition (LDP/Komeito) will likely lose its current majority, forcing them to seek support from smaller parties.

Starting today, Japanese voters will be able to see a candidate's stance on same-sex marriage by holding their smartphone up to an election poster.

This is a data of foreigners in Japan who have been arrested for serious crimes such as rape, robbery and murder. In 2014 there were 430 arrests with 2.1 million foreign residents living in Japan, a per capita arrest rate of 0.02048% In 2024 there were 754 arrests with 3.8

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike cautioned against anti-immigration rhetoric, stating that “hate speech and tendencies toward exclusionism are extremely dangerous; I hope discussions will focus on how we can coexist.”