I’m not someone who gloats easily. For example, when I encountered my high school bully one day as he bagged my groceries while I stood by in a business suit, I didn’t emit so much as a snicker. At least not that anyone could hear. That’s why when I read about a recent bit of wrongdoing by members of Japan’s far-right Sanseitō political party, I assure you that I did not jump for joy over their blunder, though my jumping shoes were close at hand.
Since the group first formed during the global pandemic, it has pushed a “Japanese [People] First” message that paints immigrants in the worst possible light. The party’s rhetoric in last year’s House of Councillors election (July 2025) focused on the alleged misdeeds of visa holders, including claims that foreign residents get goodies without adequately contributing to society. As a foreigner who pays a lot of taxes to Japan (way more than I paid in my home country), I found such claims lacking.
Kamiya Sōhei, the group’s leader, normally rails boldly from the political pulpit, his trademark orange tie heaving from the anti-globalist excitement in his voice. But on Monday, May 18, 2026, he stuck a somber tone as he admitted to the gathered reporters that eight members of the party—not the rank and file, but locally elected officeholders—had evaded paying their mandatory national health insurance premiums. The deed was so dastardly, seven of the eight members were asked to cut ties with the group.
To put this transgression another way, elected Sanseitō representatives, entrusted by the people with political office, got goodies without adequately contributing to society.
This is the point where gloating would normally kick in. But any honest person must ask: Is this misbehavior indicative of the entire membership, or were those eight members isolated rogues whose actions in no way tarnish the remaining card-carrying hoards? As of December 2024, the party had 68,000 dues-paying members. Would it be fair to label everyone in the group a tax cheat just because 0.01% of its members violated social welfare requirements?
No, it would not be fair, darn it. As much as I despise the anti-immigrant tommyrot spewed by those on Japan’s far right, I have no reason to believe that those who voluntarily affiliate themselves with Mr. Kamiya’s party are ne’er-do-wells who eschew their social responsibilities.
Of course, the same must be said of Japan’s foreign residents. While there may be individual visa holders who have taken advantage of the system, they represent a tiny, tiny fraction of the whole. In fact, I’m currently reading a book (外国人急増、日本はどうなる? [With Foreigners Increasing Rapidly, What Will Happen to Japan?], by Ebihara Tsuguo) which claims that once you exclude the small number of foreigners who have expired visas and are actively hiding from immigration authorities, the remaining supermajority behave just like Japanese citizens when it comes to their social and financial responsibilities.
So no, I will not gloat over the party’s recent embarrassment. As newsworthy as it might be, it does not constitute proof that a few bad apples have spoiled the entire bunch, foreign or domestic. Still, I doubt that the leadership of Sanseitō will make this connection or realize their own double standard. And because of that, I will weep openly rather than snicker in silence.
Image Credits: grimlock / Photo-AC
