Key Points:
- Elon Musk publicly endorsed a small anti-immigration demonstration in Osaka.
- The surge comes amid the rise of a “Japanese First” political party.
- Musk’s support aligns with his broader pattern of engaging with populist.
TOKYO/WASHINGTON – In a surprising move that attracted widespread attention, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has voiced support for an anti-immigration protest in Japan by commenting “Good” on a video posted to X by a user known as The British Patriot.
The clip featured a modest rally in Osaka, where participants held Japanese flags and carried signs, including one that read “Don’t make Japan Africa”, protesting against mass immigration, reported The Japan Times and South China Morning Post.
The demonstration held on August 30 has garnered renewed attention amid growing support for the anti-immigrant Sanseito (“Japanese First”) party, which surged in Japan’s July Upper House elections, expanding from two to 15 seats.
Japan traditionally has one of the lowest percentages of foreign-born residents among developed economies. Still, demographic pressures, including a rapidly ageing society, a declining birth rate, and labour shortages, are prompting gradual policy shifts toward increased immigration.
Musk’s comment illustrates his broader pattern of engagement with nationalist and populist movements worldwide. He has previously voiced backing for Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) and similar anti-establishment groups.
