On Monday, the Japanese government requested clarification from China after the consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, made a threatening remark towards Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
In a now-removed post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Xue allegedly threatened Takaichi due to her recent statements regarding Taiwan. A message from a Chinese diplomat described the situation, saying, “We have no choice but to cut off the filthy heads that attack us without a moment’s hesitation. Are you ready?”
The removed post linked to a news article covering Takaichi’s remarks during a speech to Congress last Friday. She informed the Japanese Diet members that a military assault on Taiwan could pose a “worst-case scenario” for Japan’s survival and potentially mobilize Japanese troops, warning that future conflicts might threaten Japan’s safety.
When pressed for further explanation on Monday, Takaichi defended her comments. She noted, “Although I have described many possible scenarios, I have also stated that the government will make a comprehensive judgment based on all information regarding whether the situation falls under the category of an ‘existential crisis.’
The Japanese government promptly filed a complaint against Xue concerning his incendiary remarks. Minoru Kihara, Chief Cabinet Secretary, mentioned during a press briefing that Japan sought “clarification” from China regarding the diplomat’s statement, highlighting that this wasn’t the first time Xue had made inappropriate comments.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, also denounced Xue’s threats, expressing his concerns in both English and Japanese.
His statement included, “The mask has slipped again. Just a few months ago, Mr. Xue Jin compared Israel to Nazi Germany. Now he is threatening Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the Japanese people. It is time for the Chinese government to act like the ‘good neighbor’ it claims to be but has repeatedly failed to show.”
Takaichi’s remarks infuriated the Chinese Communist Party. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the Prime Minister’s statements as “fraudulent,” claiming they amounted to significant interference in China’s internal affairs and conflicted with the “one China principle,” which asserts Taiwan as part of China.
Lin described the situation in stark terms, stating, “This is in contradiction to the political commitments that the Japanese government has made to date, and is egregious both in nature and impact.” He added, “China regrets this, opposes it, expresses a serious attitude toward Japan, and protests.”
He further commented, “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan. How to resolve the Taiwan issue and achieve unification is China’s own challenge, and we will not allow any foreign interference.” Lin questioned, “What kind of signal are Japan’s leaders trying to send to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces? Does Japan intend to challenge China’s core interests and prevent unification? Where exactly does Japan want its relationship with China to go?”
