Ma Jiajia in Sidecar:
Sanae Takaichi’s resounding win in Japan’s snap election last month divided Chinese-language commentary. Many Chinese living in the country were uneasy; some beat their chests in despair, declaring they’d pack up and leave. Others – mostly residing outside of Japan – hailed it a triumph for Japanese democracy and an awakening of the Yamato spirit. Such mixed feelings are in part a reaction to Takachi’s hawkishness on Taiwan. Soon after taking over as prime minister last October, she claimed that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan could constitute a ‘survival-threatening situation’ – implying possible military involvement in a cross-strait conflict. Within Japan, her comments helped cement her image as a tough-talking Japanese Thatcher, but they trigged uproar in Beijing, which has restricted rare earth exports and other critical materials. The number of Chinese visitors to Japan has fallen by 61 per cent on the previous year.
This heightened antagonism comes in the context of a broader anti-foreigner mood, one that has played an increasingly prominent part in politics in recent months. During last July’s Senate election, foreigners – comprising just 3 per cent of Japan’s population – were suddenly the hottest topic. Rumours spread like wildfire on social media: cheap immigrant labour was stifling Japanese wage growth and jeopardizing public safety; expat entrepreneurs in Tokyo were receiving low-interest start-up loans of up to ¥15 million; growing numbers were overstaying their visas and exploiting the welfare system; employees of multinational corporations were spreading Covid; crimes committed by foreigners were going unprosecuted. Amid this din, the far-right party Sanseito rapidly gained popularity with its ‘Japanese First’ campaign. It placed third in the election, securing fifteen seats, up from one previously.
This was an early indication of shifting public sentiment, as disaffected and economically insecure voters rallied to watchwords of the xenophobic right.
More here.
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