Japan formally complained to China after Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka posted a now-deleted message on X that Tokyo called "extremely inappropriate" and the U.S. described as threatening. Xue shared an article about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on possible responses to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, adding the line "Are you ready?" and a violent metaphor. Japan demanded deletion of the post and urged Beijing to take appropriate action, while the U.S. ambassador to Japan said the comment amounted to a threat.
Japan Protests After Chinese Consul General’s Menacing X Post Targeting PM Takaichi
Japan formally complained to China after Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka posted a now-deleted message on X that Tokyo called "extremely inappropriate" and the U.S. described as threatening. Xue shared an article about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on possible responses to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, adding the line "Are you ready?" and a violent metaphor. Japan demanded deletion of the post and urged Beijing to take appropriate action, while the U.S. ambassador to Japan said the comment amounted to a threat.
11:43 PM, 11/10/2025Politics
Japan lodges formal protest over threatening social media post by Chinese consul general
Japan announced on Monday that it had lodged a formal complaint with Chinese authorities after China’s Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted what Tokyo described as an "extremely inappropriate" and threatening message on the social media platform X.
On November 8, Xue shared an article referencing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about potential Japanese responses to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan and appended a violent line:
"We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that has lunged at us without a moment’s hesitation."He also added the short challenge, "Are you ready?" The post was later deleted.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, said the intent behind the post "was not entirely clear" but nevertheless called the language "extremely inappropriate." Kihara said Japan’s Foreign Ministry and the Japanese embassy in Beijing lodged a strong protest and demanded deletion of the post. He added that Xue had made "multiple inappropriate statements" and that Tokyo has repeatedly urged Beijing to take appropriate action, without ruling out further measures.
The Chinese consulate in Osaka did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass reposted the deleted message on X and described the consul general’s wording as a threat to Prime Minister Takaichi and the Japanese people, adding:
"The mask slips — again."
This episode underscores how incendiary language from diplomatic officials can heighten regional tensions over Taiwan and complicate bilateral relations between Japan, China and the United States.