Recently, the Chinese Ambassador to Japan has sparked controversy by threatening that “the Japanese people will be led into a fire pit,” leading to strong reactions from Japanese public opinion. Some commentators view this as a form of war intimidation, while others believe it is a bold statement aimed at Beijing. The “fire pit” rhetoric has triggered strong protests from both the Japanese government and public, with calls for the expulsion of the Chinese ambassador.
On May 22, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, expressed serious opposition to the comments made by the Chinese Ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, stating that his remarks were highly inappropriate considering his position as a diplomatic representative.
In response on May 23, a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended Ambassador Wu’s statements, claiming that they were based on facts and deemed necessary, further asserting that any obstruction to China’s reunification would incur heavy consequences.
In an attempt to suppress Japanese support for Taiwan, the Chinese Embassy in Japan deliberately held a seminar on “Taiwan Issues and Sino-Japanese Relations” on the same day as the presidential inauguration ceremony of Tsai Ing-wen on May 20.
The seminar featured former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima, as well as other relevant figures and media representatives.
During his speech at the seminar, Wu Jianghao accused the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan of advocating for independence, claiming that some Japanese individuals believed that “what happens in Taiwan affects Japan,” and warning that if Japan bound itself to the division of China, the Japanese people would be led into a fire pit.
According to Akio Yaita, a senior media figure in Japan, Wu Jianghao’s choice of words was quite strong, with the use of “fire pit” carrying negative connotations in Chinese, implying disaster and misfortune. Yaita interpreted this as a clear indication of war intentions towards Japan, characterized by a strong element of intimidation.
By comparing the speech published on the official website of the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a video of Wu Jianghao speaking in Japanese on the official website of the Chinese Communist Party, it becomes evident that the original Chinese text and its Japanese translation have no discrepancies.
Following the controversial “fire pit” remarks, Wu Jianghao continued to say: “This statement may sound harsh, but it is necessary to make it clear, do not assume it is just a threat.” He also warned against underestimating the Chinese Communist Party’s “strong determination, willpower, and capability.”
Criticism from political and public spheres in Japan has been abundant, with many calling for the expulsion of Wu Jianghao and demanding a retraction of his statements to avoid further escalating tensions.
The sentiments expressed by various Japanese figures and commentators have echoed the public’s outrage over the threatening language used by the Chinese Ambassador. The incident has underscored the increasing support and sympathy towards Taiwan within Japan, as well as the necessity for unity against foreign threats.
As the diplomatic row continues, it is clear that the Chinese Embassy’s handling of the situation has only exacerbated tensions, prompting a wave of reproach from Japanese citizens and officials alike. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of diplomatic relations and the importance of maintaining clear communication channels between nations.