Business magnate Elon Musk expresses backing for an anti-immigration rally in Japan

In a surprising turn of events, the anti-immigration Sanseito party has made significant strides in Japan's upper house elections. The party, which previously held only two seats, has increased its tally to 15.

Japan, known for its low number of foreign-born residents, has seen a "Japanese first" party perform well in recent elections. The Sanseito party, led by Shigeru Ishiba, a former Prime Minister who stepped down amid political upheaval, has resonated with voters.

The party's agenda echoes other populist movements around the world, focusing on themes such as "elitism", "globalism", and promising to "bring power back to the people."

The rise of the Sanseito party comes as Japan grapples with an ageing population, one of the world's lowest birth rates, and worker shortages in many industries. This has led to an increase in the number of immigrants in Japan, although levels remain low compared to other rich economies and are not a top concern for voters.

A video of an anti-immigration rally, held in Osaka on August 30, has gained attention. Participants were holding Japanese flags and banners opposing mass immigration, including one that reads: "Don't make Japan Africa."

The rally received an unexpected endorsement from Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. On September 1, Musk commented on a video of the rally posted by an account called The British Patriot, saying "Good." This support comes amid Musk's previous backing of far-right parties in other countries, such as Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The British Patriot account, which describes itself as a "Proud white British man with indigenous roots", also posted a video of Japanese protesters demanding the deportation of all illegal immigrants. The account has stated that citizens from various countries, including Australia, Europe, and Japan, are uniting for remigration.

As the Sanseito party continues to gain momentum, the impact on Japan's immigration policies and its relationship with the international community remains to be seen.