Rising Right-Wing Parties Capture Youth Vote, Shaking Japan’s Political Landscape

Newly established right-wing political parties have surged in popularity, delivering a significant blow to Japan’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in recent elections. This shift reflects a widening divide between generations, as younger voters rally behind calls for tax cuts, tighter immigration controls, and a departure from the entrenched political establishment.

The election results relegated the Liberal Democrats to a minority position in both houses of Japan’s Parliament, potentially signaling the end of their seven-decade-long political dominance. Unlike previous challenges, this one is marked by nationalist factions breaking away from the traditional control once held by the LDP.

Among the most notable victors were two far-right parties—the Democratic Party of the People and the more radical Sanseito—that did not exist five years ago. While Japan has seen transient anti-establishment groups in the past, these parties made substantial inroads with younger voters, who are motivated by promises to raise stagnant wages, reduce foreign labor, and disrupt the political influence maintained by older generations.

Political analyst Harumi Arima noted that these populist movements resonate with young people whose incomes have stagnated or who feel uneasy about the increasing presence of foreign workers. This disenchantment with the LDP has proliferated largely through online platforms beyond mainstream media.

The success of these right-wing parties has prompted reflection across Japan on whether the global wave of anti-establishment, nationalist politics has finally made an impact domestically. After years of relative political insulation, many younger Japanese voters appear ready to reject a system perceived as dominated by corporate interests and an aging electorate.