Key Facts
• July 20: Sangiin election held; Sanseitō party sees significant gains.
• Sanseitō leader Sohei Kamiya appeared on TBS program the same evening.
• Kamiya criticized TBS’s “Hōdō Tokushū” (aired July 12) for its program structure.
• Female announcer’s remarks on foreign nationals sparked controversy.
• Kamiya stated the announcer “was only following the script” and avoided personal attacks.
• Announcer referenced Sanseitō’s “Japan First” slogan, urging voters to consider foreign nationals.
• Kamiya highlighted issues with edited videos of his speeches spreading on social media.
• He claimed organized groups misrepresented Sanseitō members online.
• Kamiya called for collective efforts to address defamatory content on social media.
• He urged media to ensure fairness and avoid defamatory remarks against politicians.
• Kamiya discussed the need to restructure Sanseitō due to unexpected election success.
• He emphasized the need for more staff and policy experts to strengthen the party.
Summary
Sanseitō leader Sohei Kamiya criticized TBS’s “Hōdō Tokushū” for its handling of foreign national issues, following the party’s success in the July 20 Sangiin election. He defended a female announcer’s controversial remarks, stating she was following a script, and condemned personal attacks. Kamiya also addressed the spread of misleading videos on social media, calling for collective action against defamatory content. He urged media to ensure fairness and avoid targeting politicians. Looking ahead, Kamiya highlighted the need to restructure Sanseitō, citing a shortage of staff and policy experts due to the party’s unexpected election gains.
