Reference News Network, July 23 report: The U.S. "New York Times" website published an article titled "Japan's Anti-Establishment Party Resonates with Young Voters" on July 21, authored by Martin Fackler. Excerpts from the article are as follows:
Under the backdrop of young voters supporting tax cuts, immigration restrictions and breaking the political status quo, the rising popularity of Japan's emerging right-wing parties has led to a major defeat for the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the House of Councillors election on the 20th, marking an increasing generational divide in Japanese society.
Although the LDP had previously faced potential challengers, this time is different, as the challengers come from the nationalist right wing that the LDP has long controlled.
The biggest winners in this election were two far-right parties that did not exist five years ago — the Komeito and the more extreme Shinto Party. Although Japan has seen fleeting "anti-establishment newcomers" before, the promises of these two parties to increase wages, reduce the number of foreign workers, and break the monopoly of older voters over politics seem to have gained more support from young voters.
Independent political analyst Haruma Harumi (translated name) said: "Some young voters, whose incomes have stagnated or who do not want to see more foreigners coming to Japan, support populist slogans. Their disappointment in the LDP is spreading online outside traditional media."
The rise of right-wing parties has made many Japanese wonder whether the global wave of right-wing anti-establishment political movements has finally reached Japanese shores. After years of seeming isolation from external political forces, many Japanese voters, especially the younger generation, have finally grown tired of what they see as a political order dominated by the political-business establishment.
However, the LDP has repeatedly weathered outbursts of voter dissatisfaction in the past, often by adopting the policy ideas of their opponents to weaken their momentum. Many analysts believe this may also be the case this time. The difference between Japan's new nationalist parties and overseas anti-establishment groups (such as Trump's "America First" movement) lies in their focus on intergenerational discontent caused by domestic political and economic changes in Japan.
Many analysts say that this election result has left a new question in the Japanese political landscape: Do these new parties represent a temporary protest vote, or a more lasting political realignment driven by demographic pressures and disappointment with leadership that has become disconnected from young voters?
Right-wing ideology has long taken root in Japan. In the early 21st century, so-called "net right-wingers" spread on social media, but failed to develop into an independent movement, instead supporting Shinzo Abe. During his tenure as LDP president and Prime Minister of Japan from 2012 to 2020, Abe dominated the right-wing of Japanese politics.
Tokyo University professor Saya Oki (translated name) told the Asahi Shimbun: "During the Abe era, the LDP tamed and absorbed the far-right forces."
Analysts say that although Abe's death has paved the way for right-wing figures like Kanda Masaaki of the Shinto Party to rise, the LDP can reclaim lost territory by re-righting itself. (Translated by Xiong Wenyuan)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530171319866917430/
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