Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Japan Protests China Diplomat's Taiwan Remarks
A diplomat from China, Xue Jian, posted some harsh words online about Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi.
This happened after Takaichi said that if China attacked Taiwan, it could put Japan in danger, possibly allowing Japan to use its military.
Japan's government called Xue's words 'extremely inappropriate' and felt they were a threat.
The U.S. Ambassador to Japan agreed, saying the remarks were threatening.
China defended their diplomat, saying the post was a reaction to Takaichi's 'dangerous' comments and that Japan should think about its past actions.
Taiwan also expressed concern over the threatening words.
Takaichi later said her comments were just 'hypothetical' and that she wouldn't say them again in parliament.
The incident has caused tension between Japan and China.
Japan has criticized Chinese diplomat Xue Jian for 'extremely inappropriate' social media remarks about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Xue's post, later deleted, was a response to Takaichi's comments suggesting an attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan's survival.
The U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, characterized Xue Jian's remarks as a threat towards Takaichi and the Japanese people.
China defended Xue's post as a reaction to Takaichi's 'wrongful and dangerous' statements on Taiwan, urging Japan to reflect on its history.
Prime Minister Takaichi clarified her comments were 'hypothetical' and stated she would refrain from making similar remarks in parliament.
- Who
- Japan, China, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, China's Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Taiwan's presidential office spokesperson Karen Kuo.
- What
- Japan has criticized remarks made by Chinese diplomat Xue Jian on social media regarding Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. The exchange has escalated into a diplomatic spat.
- When
- Xue Jian's remarks were posted on Saturday, following Takaichi's parliamentary comments on Friday. Japan lodged its protest on Monday.
- Where
- Osaka, Japan (location of the Chinese Consulate General); Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Taiwan.
- Why
- The dispute arose after Takaichi suggested that an attack on Taiwan could be a 'situation threatening Japan's survival,' potentially allowing for the deployment of Japan's Self-Defense Forces. China defended Xue's post as a response to Takaichi's 'wrongful and dangerous' remarks and urged Japan to consider its history.
Japan's Stance
China's Stance
Diplomat's Remarks on Taiwan
Japan's Stance
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that China's Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, made 'extremely inappropriate' and 'multiple inappropriate statements' in response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. The U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass, also described Xue's remarks as threatening Takaichi and the Japanese people. Japan has repeatedly asked Beijing to take appropriate action.
China's Stance
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian defended Xue's "personal post" as a response to Takaichi's 'wrongful and dangerous' remarks on Taiwan, urging Japan to 'take a hard look at its historical responsibilities.'
Prime Minister Takaichi's Taiwan Comments
Japan's Stance
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that an attack on Taiwan could be 'a situation threatening Japan's survival,' a legal term that allows for the deployment of Japan's Self-Defense Forces. She later clarified that her remarks were 'hypothetical' and that she would refrain from making similar comments in parliament again.
China's Stance
China views Takaichi's comments as 'wrongful and dangerous' and believes Japan should reflect on its history.
- Chinese Diplomat
- Xue Jian, Consul General in Osaka
- Japanese Prime Minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Date of Takaichi's Remarks
- Friday
- Date of Xue's Social Media Post
- Saturday
- Date of Japan's Protest
- Monday
- U.S. Ambassador's Statement
- George Glass called Xue Jian's remarks threatening.
- Taiwan's Reaction
- Spokesperson Karen Kuo stated Taiwan takes threatening remarks by Chinese officials toward Japan seriously and that such behavior exceeds diplomatic etiquette.