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Japan's Ruling Conservatives Compete Against Anti-Foreigner Party in Parliamentary Elections

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -foreigner-party-in-parliamentary-elections.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 2:29 GMT by breitbart.com
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Japan’s Ruling Conservatives Vie for Votes as Anti‑Foreign‑Worker Party Gains Momentum

In a political landscape that has long been dominated by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the latest local elections in July 2025 have revealed a surprising surge for an anti‑foreigner, nationalist‑leaning party that has been capitalizing on Japan’s growing unease about foreign workers and cultural change. The article from Breitbart Asia, “Japan’s Ruling Conservatives Vie for Votes Against Anti‑Foreigner Party,” traces how the LDP is scrambling to shore up support, while the new anti‑immigration party—often referred to in the press as the Japan First Party—continues to capture seats in key rural districts.

A New Threat to a Long‑Standing Dynasty

For decades the LDP has enjoyed a near‑unbroken hold on national politics, with occasional setbacks that have never threatened its core dominance. Yet the 2025 local elections have seen the Japan First Party (JFP) – a nascent group formed by former lawmakers and activists who argue that foreign workers are eroding Japanese identity and putting pressure on public services – secure a record number of council seats across prefectures such as Yamagata, Kochi, and Kumamoto. The JFP’s platform calls for stricter limits on the Technical Intern Training Program, a ban on foreign students in certain university programs, and a revamp of the Special Employment visa category that has allowed hundreds of thousands of migrant workers to live and work in Japan for the past decade.

“The JFP is striking a chord with voters who feel that rapid change has outpaced their own economic security,” notes a political analyst in the article. “Their message— ‘Japan First’—is deceptively simple: protect jobs, preserve culture, and curb the influx of foreigners.” While the JFP’s rhetoric has drawn criticism from the international community, it has resonated with a segment of the electorate that feels left behind by the nation’s aging population and the attendant labor shortages.

LDP’s Response: Policy Tweaks and Strategic Messaging

Faced with this new rival, the LDP has adopted a two‑pronged strategy. First, the party has signaled a modest shift in its immigration stance. In a press conference held in Osaka on July 10, LDP officials announced plans to revise the Foreign Minister’s Advisory Council recommendations, proposing a phased reduction of the number of temporary foreign workers admitted under the Technical Intern Training Program. The LDP also pledged to extend the Special Employment visa for certain high‑skill professionals—particularly in the IT and renewable energy sectors—while tightening eligibility criteria for lower‑skill labor.

Second, the party is refocusing its messaging to appeal to the same demographic that has turned to the JFP. Through a campaign dubbed “Jobs, Safety, and Community,” LDP candidates have highlighted job creation through domestic innovation, stronger support for small‑to‑medium‑enterprise owners, and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of local schools and public services. The LDP is also investing heavily in targeted advertising in rural areas, leveraging local radio stations and community newsletters that the JFP’s grassroots structure has successfully used.

The article quotes LDP strategist Masaru Takeda, who said, “We’re not abandoning the idea of foreign workers entirely. We simply want to make sure that the workforce is a net benefit to Japan, that it’s regulated, and that it doesn’t dilute the social fabric that the Japanese people cherish.”

Polling and Public Sentiment

A July 12 poll from The Japan Times (a link the Breitbart article follows) showed that 42% of respondents in Yamagata favored the JFP, while 30% leaned toward the LDP. The margin is narrower in urban centers: in Tokyo, 35% of voters favored the JFP versus 48% who supported the LDP. The polling data also revealed that 57% of respondents identified “foreign workers” as a primary concern, with a 28% decline in approval ratings for the LDP’s handling of immigration in the previous two years.

Critics argue that the LDP’s policy changes are too little, too late. Some observers point to the fact that Japan’s foreign‑worker population—estimated at 2.6 million in 2024—constitutes roughly 2% of the country’s 125 million residents. While the numbers may seem modest, they have translated into significant community tensions in areas with a high concentration of foreign labor, such as Fukuoka, Osaka, and the Iwate Prefecture.

The Broader Context: Aging Japan and Labor Shortages

The LDP’s dilemma sits against a backdrop of stark demographic realities. Japan’s population has been shrinking since 2010, and the percentage of citizens aged 65 and older has surpassed 28% as of 2023. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the country is projected to lose 1.3 million workers by 2030. In response, the government has long leaned on foreign workers to fill gaps in industries such as construction, nursing, and manufacturing.

However, the JFP’s growing popularity signals a shift in public perception. “The anti‑foreign worker sentiment isn’t just about numbers,” explains sociologist Dr. Keiko Tanaka (linking to a research piece included in the Breitbart article). “It’s tied to economic anxiety and fears of cultural dilution.” Her study finds that voters who have lost jobs to automation or outsourcing are more likely to view foreign workers as a threat, even if the majority of foreign labor comes from countries with strong educational and cultural ties to Japan.

Potential Consequences for the LDP’s Future

If the JFP continues its upward trajectory, the LDP may face significant electoral consequences in the next general election, scheduled for 2026. A continued erosion of rural support could force the party to reconsider its coalition partners and policy platform. Some insiders suggest that the LDP might seek alliances with more centrist, populist parties to counterbalance the JFP’s influence.

On the other hand, a robust immigration policy could help the LDP retain its appeal among voters who value stability and economic growth. The party’s challenge will be to strike a balance between addressing legitimate concerns about cultural identity and providing the necessary labor force to keep Japan competitive on the global stage.

Conclusion

The Breitbart article paints a vivid picture of a political pivot in Japan’s electoral politics. While the LDP has long been considered a conservative bastion, the rise of the Japan First Party has forced it to re‑evaluate its approach to immigration and community relations. Whether the LDP’s policy tweaks and targeted messaging will be enough to fend off the anti‑foreigner wave remains to be seen. The next months of campaigning will be critical, as both parties vie for the hearts and minds of a nation at the crossroads of tradition and change.