Compared to other liberal democracies, Japan’s political system has a few rare characteristics, including the dominance of a single political party and the absence of an electorally relevant green party. But what about populism? Are there populist parties or populist politicians? The few studies that deal with this question have identified Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), Tomin Fāsuto (Citizens of Tokyo First), Koizumi Jun’ichirō, Hashimoto Tōru, Koike Yuriko, and Yamamoto Tarō (Reiwa Shinsengumi) as the usual suspects. This presentation will introduce the Japan track of a larger project presently underway at the University of Duisburg-Essen entitled “Populism in East Asian Democracies”. DIJ alumnus Axel Klein will address the questions above and explain his view on why there may be smoke without a fire when it comes to populism in Japan. Details and registration here