“Japanese First” and the Race to the Bottom: How Japan’s Upper House Election Became a Showcase for Xenophobia

In this Japan's Upper House elections, rightwing parties are locked in a competition that feels eerily familiar to anyone who’s watched American politics, with even "a Japanese Trump" in the running.

Originally published July 13th, Updated July 21st 2025. Update at the bottom

In this year’s upper house elections, Japan’s conservative parties are locked in a competition that feels eerily familiar to anyone who’s watched American politics over the past decade. Each party seems determined to outdo the others in channeling Donald Trump’s brand of populi…