Japan has lodged a formal protest with China after one of its senior diplomats made what Tokyo described as “extremely inappropriate” comments directed at Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The remarks, made by China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, have also drawn strong criticism from the United States, which characterised them as threatening.
Controversial Social Media Post Sparks Outrage
The dispute erupted after Xue posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) on November 8, responding to Takaichi’s comments about how Japan might react to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. In his post, Xue wrote, “We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that has lunged at us without a moment’s hesitation,” adding, “Are you ready?” The post was later deleted but widely shared before its removal.
Speaking on Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the intent behind the post “was not entirely clear,” but he stressed that such language was “extremely inappropriate.” He confirmed that Japan’s foreign ministry and its embassy in Beijing had lodged a strong protest and demanded the post’s deletion.
China’s consulate in Osaka did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
Diplomatic Tensions Intensify
When asked whether Japan might expel the diplomat, Kihara said Xue had made “multiple inappropriate statements” in the past. He added that Tokyo had repeatedly called on Beijing to take suitable measures. The incident underscores rising diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours, already strained over territorial and security issues in the East China Sea and growing concerns about China’s actions toward Taiwan.
US Condemns Remarks as Threat
The controversy also drew a swift response from the United States. Sharing the deleted post on X, US ambassador to Japan George Glass condemned the remarks, saying that Xue had “threatened Takaichi and the Japanese people.” He added, “The mask slips – again,” signalling Washington’s unease over Beijing’s increasingly aggressive tone in regional affairs.
Tokyo’s protest marks another diplomatic flashpoint between Japan and China as both sides navigate an already fragile relationship amid heightened security concerns in the Asia-Pacific region.
(with inputs from Reuters)
