In recent times, spurred on by the rhetoric coming out in some other countries, I’ve noticed a big swing in how Japanese social media figures discuss politics. Maybe it’s that they feel that they’ve been given permission to speak openly due to the rise of the Sanseito party (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanseit%C5%8D), whose leader is allegedly a fan of Mein Kampf.

But partly it is because they fear the things they see evidence of in other countries that go quietly ignored, like illegal immigrants or asylum recipients committing rape or other violence against women. The trust and safety that is foundational to the Japanese way of life is something they closely guard. They don’t know what to expect when they hear their leaders want to invite 50K immigrants workers from India, even though these cultures are quite compatible. The phenomenon of leaders gaslighting concerned citizens in other countries gives life to the myths in Japanese social media that this article discusses.

In my opinion, there are social media myths but also some truths. Talking about the truths honestly will prevent the myths from taking hold. Otherwise I suspect the fear held by Japanese citizens will continue to fuel the rise of the extremist Sanseito party.