Pair with foreign roots launch political group in Japan, seeking 'co-creation'
TOKYO -- Two people with foreign roots launched a new political group in Japan this summer, aiming to field candidates in next year's nationwide unifi
In Japan's summer of 2025, two individuals with foreign roots, Orzugul Babakhodjaeva and Akira Tei, launched a new political group called Shinseito (Shinseito Party). Their aim is to field candidates in the upcoming nationwide unified local elections scheduled for the following year. Babakhodjaeva, 40, hails from Uzbekistan and is a Setagaya Ward Assembly member.
Tei, 61, is originally from South Korea and plans to run in the upcoming Shinjuku Ward Assembly election. They established Shinseito in August, combining the first kanji characters of the two wards' names.
Babakhodjaeva grew up in Tashkent and later moved to Japan at the age of 21, where she faced significant challenges in finding employment and starting a business due to her foreign status. These experiences motivated her to pursue a career in politics and create a society where disadvantaged individuals, including women and foreigners, can thrive on an equal footing.
Tei, on the other hand, has a deep connection to Japan, as his hometown of Busan, South Korea, is near Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture. He moved to Japan in 1985 and later became involved in community activities in Shinjuku Ward's Shin-Okubo area, helping to address issues such as hate demonstrations and the closure of businesses.
The pair met through a mutual acquaintance and quickly discovered their shared values and goals. They both acquired Japanese citizenship and believe that a shift from mere coexistence to co-creation is necessary. Their vision for Shinseito is to strengthen community foundations, promote local safety and peace of mind, support aspiring entrepreneurs regardless of nationality, and preserve cultural heritage.
They emphasize the importance of involving foreign residents in community activities to maintain local vitality and eliminate divisions, given Japan's declining population.
The rise in foreign residents has led to concerns about an increasingly exclusionary atmosphere, particularly after the House of Councillors election last summer. Babakhodjaeva and Tei have heard from many foreign residents and people with foreign roots who have experienced bullying, fear, and reluctance to participate in community life. They argue that Japan needs cooperation, not division, and that foreign residents should be able to play an active role in supporting their communities.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
