Experts say the surge in xenophobic posts began in 2023, not only from election rhetoric. Seikei University professor Ito notes the shift from targeting specific groups to addressing economic concerns widened participation. Data from NHK and JICA-linked sources show about 26 million xenophobic posts on X since April 2023, with roughly 4 million in one month around the withdrawal of the Africa Home Town project. The driver, Ito argues, is Japan’s move from deflation to inflation as the yen weakened, which split the middle class: large firms and investors benefited from higher wages and asset gains, while self-employed, freelancers, non-regular workers, and small-business staff faced rising living costs.