Tokyo, Japan – Japan has formally summoned China’s ambassador to Tokyo after a Chinese diplomat made a threatening remark against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in an online post. The comment, which has since been removed, called for Takaichi’s neck to be “cut off” following her statements on Taiwan.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday confirming that Ambassador Wu Jianghao was called in for a formal protest. The ministry described the remark by Xue Jian, China’s consul general in Osaka, as “extremely inappropriate” and demanded that the Chinese government take immediate measures.
Tokyo emphasized that the threatening comments were unacceptable and could not be tolerated in diplomatic relations. The Japanese government urged Ambassador Wu to ensure that Beijing responds appropriately to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
This development comes amid heightened sensitivities in the region regarding Taiwan, with Japan and China often clashing diplomatically over statements and actions seen as influencing regional security. Analysts note that threats made by diplomats on social media can escalate tensions between nations and are taken seriously in international relations.
Prime Minister Takaichi, who has previously expressed strong support for Taiwan, did not publicly comment on the threat, but government sources indicated that Tokyo is taking all necessary steps to protect its officials and maintain stable relations with Beijing.
The incident underscores the fragile state of Japan-China relations, particularly as both countries navigate competing interests in East Asia. Diplomatic observers are now closely watching Beijing’s response to Tokyo’s protest, which could shape the trajectory of bilateral ties in the coming weeks.
In summary: Japan has formally protested against a Chinese diplomat’s threatening remark against PM Takaichi, calling on Beijing to take corrective action. The situation highlights ongoing tensions over Taiwan and the importance of careful diplomatic conduct in maintaining regional stability.