After Japan’s Ruling Party Debacle, China Seeks Close Ties

After Japan’s long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (ldp) lost its parliamentary majority Sunday, China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing desires closer collaboration with Tokyo.

Right-wing surge in Japan: The ldp’s loss in the upper house follows a humiliating defeat in the lower house in October. It marks the first time the party has not held a majority in either house since it was established in 1955.

Sunday’s loss resulted from significant gains made by Japan’s two right-wing populist parties.

• The Sanseito party saw its number of seats in the upper house soar from 2 to 15.
• Sanseito ran on a “Japanese First” slogan.
• Its founder, Sohei Kamiya, says the party is Japan’s equivalent of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Deutschland.
• He has expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin in the war on Ukraine and called for Japan to restore political power to the emperor.
• Meanwhile, the Democratic Party for the People grew from 5 to 22 seats.

Japanese politics specialist Tobias Harris explained the results, saying, “Both right-wing parties were able to capitalize on the anger of the younger generations toward the political system.”

China eager to work with Japan: China and Japan have long been rivals. But China hopes to use that anger and political instability to assert more influence over Japan. The day after the election, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said:

China stands ready to work with Japan to continue dialogue and communication at various levels and in multiple fields, enhance political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle differences, jointly promote the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way, and build a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

Asian alliance: Bible prophecy shows that a massive Asian military alliance will soon take shape, led by Russia and China, and including Japan. Japan’s political instability may strengthen its ties with China and Russia, setting the stage for the formation of this alliance.

Learn more: Read Russia and China in Prophecy.