Conservative Party of Japan

On June 12, 2023, novelist and right-wing political commentator Naoki Hyakuta declared that he would run for the Japanese House of Representatives and form a new party if the 'LGBT Understanding Bill', which at the time of his declaration was still in deliberations and debate in the National Diet, were to be passed.[5] 4 days later on June 16, the bill in question was passed by the House of Representatives and enacted.[6] As a result, he announced the formation of the party alongside journalist and fellow right-wing political commentator Kaori Arimoto.[7][8]

The party was launched on September 1, 2023 with a provisional name "Hyakuta New Party" (百田新党), while clarifying that official activities are scheduled to begin on October 2023.[9]

On September 2, 2023, party leader Hyakuta announced that he would reveal the party's official name if the party's official X (formerly known as Twitter) account reached 200,000 followers.[10] On September 13, 2023, the aforementioned account reached its goal of 200,000 followers, and the party's official name, the 'Conservative Party of Japan' was revealed.[11]

On September 14, 2023, Kosaka Eiji, a previously Independent member of the Arakawa City Assembly joined the Conservative Party, giving the party its first ever seats in local assemblies.[12]

On October 17, 2023, during the party's first press conference, it was announced that Takashi Kawamura, the incumbent Mayor of Nagoya, would join the party as its Vice President.[13]

The party has been described as far-right due to its anti-immigration, xenophobic, and historical revisionist rhetoric.[14] With party leaders such as Hyakuta and Kawamura often engaging in denial of Japanese war crimes during the Second World War, such as the Nanjing Massacre. However, Secretary General Arimoto denies this, claiming that the party is centrist.[15]

Opposition to the advancement of LGBT rights in Japan has been one of the core foundations of the party, with the party being established due to the passage of the LGBT Understanding Act.[5] The party is opposed to same-sex marriage.[16] It supports the revision of the LGBT Understanding Act, including the removal of provisions regarding LGBT-related education for children.[17]

The party is in favour of rewriting Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution such as removing Section 2, which prohibits Japan from having a standing military force.[17]

The party is in favour of expanding sanctions against North Korea, such as to Chongryon-related organizations.[18] The party is in favour of establishing stronger relations with Taiwan and has proposed to establish a Japanese counterpart to the Taiwan Relations Act.[17]

The party is opposed to immigration, supporting the revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Act that allows authorities to detain and deport refugees who have been denied asylum. The party also advocates for review of the government's immigration policy, such as its decision to expand the number of specified skilled foreign workers and international students. The party is in favour of amending the Health Insurance Act in order to have a separate health insurance system for foreign residents.[17]