Its leader is a former supermarket manager who created his political party on YouTube in the depths of the coronavirus pandemic and campaigned on the Trumpian message “Japanese First.”
Now Japan’s burgeoning right-wing populist party Sanseito has emerged an unlikely winner in parliamentary elections this weekend.
Inspired by other populist right-wing groups that have sprung up in recent years, Sanseito bagged 14 seats in Japan’s upper house, according to public broadcaster NHK – a dramatic increase from the single seat it had occupied previously.
It is le capitalism transforming into le fascism! This is very le surprising! Also imagine a supermarket manager leading your country’s charge into fascism.
I mean… more leading experience than a painter for sure?!
You know what? Fair enough, but also he was a WWI veteran so he kinda sorta has a claim to fascism.
It’s honestly better than the movement being led by a demented TV “personality”