A Supermarket Manager, English Teacher, YouTuber & Now ‘Japan’s Trump’: Who Is Sōhei Kamiya?

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 16:09 IST

Who Is Sōhei Kamiya? His party, Sanseitō, formed in 2020 with dissatisfied citizens with Japanese First agenda, secured 14–15 seats in the upper house, eroding PM Ishiba’s majority

Sohei Kamiya, leader of the Sanseito party, speaks during an election campaign in Tosu, Saga prefecture, southwestern Japan, on July 12. (Kyodo News via AP)

Who Is Sōhei Kamiya? The fringe far-right Sanseito party emerged as one of the biggest winners in Japan’s upper house election on Sunday, gaining support with warnings of a “silent invasion" of immigrants, and pledges for tax cuts and welfare spending.

Sōhei Kamiya’s Sanseitō secured 14–15 seats in the 248-member upper house, a major leap from just one seat in 2022, making it a significant force in national politics. This surge has eroded Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition majority and placed Sanseitō in a stronger position to shape legislation. Kamiya is keen to build political alliances with other fringe parties rather than collaborate with the ruling coalition.

Birthed on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations and a cabal of global elites, the party broke into mainstream politics with its “Japanese First" campaign.

Who is Sōhei Kamiya? What is his party Sanseitō’s agenda? Why is he called ‘Japan’s Trump’? Explained

Who is Sōhei Kamiya?

Born on October 12, 1977, in Takahama, Fukui Prefecture, Kamiya is a Japanese politician and founder of the far‑right populist party Sanseitō.

Since 2022, he has served as a Member of the House of Councillors via proportional representation. He holds a law degree and formerly served on the Suita City Council in Osaka. Prior to founding Sanseitō, he worked as a supermarket manager, English teacher, and later hosted political content on YouTube.

As Secretary General and de facto leader of Sanseitō since its founding in March 2020, Kamiya has been the chief face and strategist of the party. His prior affiliations include periods as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party (2012–2015) and an independent (2015–2020).

All about Kamiya’s Sanseitō — the ‘Party of Do It Yourself’

It was established in April 2020, led by ordinary citizens unsatisfied with existing political options.

It’s ideology is Japanese nationalism, ultraconservatism, right-wing populism, and staunch anti-immigration stance. The party was vocal in promoting COVID-19 conspiracy theories, opposing masks and vaccines, and resisting LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality policies.

It gained national party status by earning over 2% of votes in the 2022 House of Councillors election, where it secured one seat. By the 2025 upper house election, it surged to 15 seats (from just one). Its influence continues to grow, especially online.

‘ doping’ to ‘young women’: Kamiya’s controversial views

Kamiya’s rhetoric often draws comparisons with global populists like Donald Trump and European far‑right parties (e.g. AfD, Reform UK).

During the campaign, Kamiya used the phrase “national doping" to describe Japan’s reliance on foreign labour, sparking criticism for xenophobic undertones.

He stoked controversy by stating, “Only young women can have children." Sanseitō also proposed making terminally ill patients pay fully out-of-pocket for life‑prolonging treatments.

The party faced scrutiny after a candidate’s appearance on Russia’s Sputnik news sparked speculation of pro-Russia ties—Kamiya denied any such affiliations and called it a misunderstanding.

Earlier in 2025, Kamiya made misleading claims about the Battle of Okinawa—asserting that only US troops killed Okinawans, not the Imperial Japanese Army.

With Reuters, Agency Inputs

News explainers A Supermarket Manager, English Teacher, YouTuber & Now ‘Japan’s Trump’: Who Is Sōhei Kamiya?