Chinese citizens and state media have erupted in fury following controversial comments by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, escalating diplomatic tensions between the two Asian powers and threatening to derail already strained relations.
Diplomatic Fallout Intensifies
The controversy began on November 7 when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October, suggested that China's use of force against self-ruled Taiwan could warrant a military response from Tokyo. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out using force for unification, immediately condemned the remarks as unacceptable interference.
China's foreign ministry summoned the Japanese ambassador on Friday, demanding Takaichi retract her statements. The diplomatic spat deepened when Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian posted a threatening message on X on November 8, apparently referring to Takaichi, stating he would "cut off that dirty neck." Although the post was later deleted, Tokyo responded by summoning the Chinese ambassador over what it called an inappropriate social media outburst.
Public Outrage and Government Warnings
Ordinary Chinese citizens expressed strong reactions to the developing situation. Sun Gang, a 36-year-old Beijing restaurant worker, questioned Japan's involvement in what China considers an internal matter. "What does our country's unification have to do with them? It's like someone interfering in your own family," he told AFP.
The Chinese embassy escalated the situation by issuing a warning on Friday advising citizens to avoid visiting Japan, citing "significant risks" to their safety. The embassy specifically pointed to "recent provocative remarks by Japanese leaders regarding Taiwan" as damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges.
Media Condemnation and Military Warnings
Chinese state media launched a coordinated criticism campaign against the Japanese leader. The ruling Communist Party's official newspaper, People's Daily, published a strongly worded opinion piece on Monday accusing Takaichi of "reviving the spectre of militarism" with her Taiwan comments.
State broadcaster CCTV went further in a Sunday commentary, warning that "if Sanae Takaichi refuses to repent, Japan will be eternally doomed." Meanwhile, Beijing's defense ministry issued a stark warning on Friday that Japan would "pay a painful price" if it intervened in any conflict over Taiwan.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, some Chinese citizens viewed their government's response as measured. Daniel Feng, a 40-year-old Beijing tech worker, described the government's reactions as "very restrained" given what he called Takaichi's "extremely unreasonable" remarks. "I very much support our government's statements, including its condemnations," Feng said. "If she spouts words, that's not a problem... but if they take real action, our country's military will definitely defeat them."
The controversy has dominated Chinese social media, with three of the top five trending topics on Weibo related to the Japan spat on Monday morning, indicating significant public engagement with the issue. The tensions revive historical grievances between the two nations, recalling Japan's occupation of Taiwan until 1945 following its defeat in World War II.
