右翼民粹
Japan’s recent upper house election brought significant changes to the country’s political landscape.
日本最近的參議院選舉為國內政壇帶來重大變化。
upper house參議院lower house眾議院significant(adj.)重大的political landscape政壇
The far-right Sanseito party, which started as a fringe group spreading conspiracy theories on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic, became one of the biggest winners.
極右派參政黨在新冠疫情期間發跡，起初只是透過YouTube傳播陰謀論的邊緣團體，如今成為最大贏家之一。
fringe group邊緣團體fringe benefit附加福利conspiracy theory陰謀論conspire(v.)密謀
Their main message, “Japanese First,” appealed strongly to voters concerned about the economy, immigration, and rising living costs. This marked a shift toward right-wing populism in Japan.
他們的核心訴求「日本人優先」深受關心經濟、移民與物價上漲議題的選民歡迎，這標誌著日本政治向右翼民粹主義傾斜。
appeal to~吸引、對～有吸引力attract(v.)吸引be concerned about~擔憂、關切immigration(n.)移民immigrant(n.)移民(者)
Sanseito’s leader, Sohei Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and English teacher, emphasized that their slogan means protecting Japanese livelihoods by resisting globalization.
參政黨領袖神谷宗幣曾是超市經理和英文老師，他強調「日本人優先」這一口號是為了透過抗拒全球化來保護日本人的生計。
emphasize(v.)強調=stress=underline=underscorelivelihood(n.)生計resist(v.)抵抗、抗拒
Although critics accuse them of xenophobia, Kamiya denies wanting to ban foreigners completely.
儘管批評者指責他們有排外傾向，神谷否認要全面禁止外國人。
xenophobia(n.)仇外心理、排外情緒deny(v.)拒絕、否認admit(v.)承認
Still, the party’s focus on immigration and social welfare policies helped them win 14 seats — up from just one previously.
不過，參政黨聚焦於移民及社會福利政策，成功從原本只有一席大幅增加至14席。
social welfare社會福利
This success has unsettled the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which lost its upper house majority for the first time in years.
這一勝利動搖了執政的自由民主黨，自民黨多年來首次失去參議院多數席次。
unsettle(v.)使不安、使心神不寧the ruling party執政黨majority(n.)大多數、大部分
The election results came amid economic worries, such as inflation and rising food prices, which deeply affected Japanese voters.
這次選舉結果出爐時，通膨及食品價格上漲等經濟問題正衝擊日本選民。
amid(prep.)在～之中
Many were frustrated with the current government’s handling of tax policies and social benefits.
許多人對政府稅制和社會福利的處理感到不滿。
be frustrated with~因～而感到挫敗、沮喪
Opposition parties, including Sanseito, promised tax cuts and increased welfare, attracting support.
反對黨包括參政黨承諾減稅及提升福利，贏得不少支持。
opposition party反對黨
Meanwhile, Japan faces important trade negotiations with the United States, adding pressure on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who vowed to remain in office despite the setback.
同時，日本正面臨與美國的重要貿易談判，使得首相石破茂倍感壓力，但他誓言即使挫敗也會繼續執政。
meanwhile(adv.)同時=in the meantimenegotiation(n.)談判、協商setback(n.)挫敗
Japan’s society is also changing demographically, with an aging population and a record number of foreign residents — about 3.8 million, or 3% of the total.
日本社會的人口結構也在變化，人口老化加劇，外國居民達到約380萬人，佔總人口約3%，創新高。
demographically(adv.)人口統計上demographic(n.)族群(adj.)人口統計的demographics(n.)人口統計學數據、資料
The debate over immigration remains sensitive, but Sanseito’s rise shows that economic concerns and national identity are key issues shaping Japan’s future politics.
移民議題仍然敏感，但參政黨的崛起顯示，經濟問題與國族認同是影響日本未來政治的重要因素。
sensitive(adj.)敏感的identity(n.)身分、認同(感)identity crisis認同危機