Inside image: In Tokyo's Upper House race, 32 candidates competed for seven seats. Shinjuku, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Hayato Narita)
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Several political parties and candidates in the House of Councillors (upper house) elections held on July 20 promoted slogans like "zero illegal foreigners" and "Japanese First."
It may well be the first time in Japan's modern national elections that such statements — seen by some as xenophobic — have been so widely and openly expressed.
As is well known, in many Western countries, conservative-leaning parties advocating "citizens first" policies have made major gains. Some nations have even begun enforcing the removal of undocumented foreign residents.
The rise of similar rhetoric in Japan may be part of a global trend that has gained momentum may be part of a longer global trend punctuated by the election of United States President Donald Trump and his "America First" doctrine.
Unhelpful Intolerance
At the time of writing this column, the results of the Upper House election were not yet known.
However, even before the vote, comments emerged from within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) that could be interpreted as an apparent admission of defeat.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on July 16, LDP Public Relations Chairperson Takuya Hirai remarked that following the election, there would be "a National Diet that can't decide anything and an endless era of darkness."
While Hirai is free to express such views, one must ask: who was he trying to benefit with such pessimistic remarks? He sounded more like a detached political commentator than a key figure in the ruling party during an election campaign.
Even if Japan were to face a so-called "dark era" politically, that would not mean the value of Japan itself is lost in darkness. There is always hope. JAPAN Forward has consistently conveyed this sentiment in its reporting.
New Series 'IGNITE'
The following essay is from the first article in our new feature series, IGNITE, launched in June. The goal of the series is to share the voices of Japanese students with the world. Through this, we hope global readers will gain deeper insight into what Japan's next generation of leaders are thinking, hoping for, and striving toward in these times.
The first installment features winning entries from the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) high school English essay contest, held annually since 2009.
Leading the series is an essay by Tetsu Den, then a second-year student at Ashiya Gakuen Senior High School. He won the 2023 contest's top honors: the Grand Prize and the America-Japan Society President's Award.
Den, a Japanese student born to a Chinese father and a Korean mother, studied in Canada as part of a school project. He arrived in Canada feeling anxious and uncertain about his identity, but was warmly welcomed by his host father abroad. Through conversations with him, Den came to realize that what he once saw as inner conflict was actually a source of strength.
He captured this experience in his English essay. Upon receiving his award, he commented: "When I wrote the essay, I seriously considered how I should be as an international person from now on, and was able to recognize once again the greatness of communication between different cultures."
A Platform for Constructive Dialogue
JAPAN Forward's core readership includes Gen Z and millennial youth in Asia who are interested in Japan, as well as generations working at the center of society around the world.
In today's uncertain times, we hope Japanese youth will connect with their global peers and help shape a new future. This hope is at the heart of the IGNITE project.
Moving forward, IGNITE plans to feature not only IIBC participants but also students speaking out in a variety of other contexts.
As written in the Bible, the world's most widely read book, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5).
Rather than lament or criticize the intensified rhetoric around immigration seen during the Upper House elections as a "dark age," JAPAN Forward aims to create platforms where the next generation can shine and engage in constructive dialogue. We seek to work alongside them to bring light to the future.
Watch for the next issue on August 18.
JAPAN Forward is a small media outlet driven by an unparalleled passion to advance the future of Japan and its role in the world. For inquiries on supporting students through our IGNITE project, please call 0570-033-433 (Sankei iD) or email us at info@japan-forward.com.
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