Japanese Senator Seki Hei has been sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for his continuous criticism of CCP’s policies in Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. This move has sparked strong protests from the Japanese government, deeming it as an unacceptable act of suppression.
Born in Sichuan, China, Seki Hei has long been a political commentator and writer criticizing the CCP. Two months ago, he was elected as a member of the Japanese Senate. CCP’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, announced on Monday that sanctions against Seki Hei include freezing his assets in China, prohibiting Chinese entities and individuals from doing business with him, and refusing to issue visas to him and his family, covering mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The Japanese government immediately expressed strong opposition, stating that this is an infringement on democracy and freedom of speech. Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Lin Fang, said during a regular press briefing that Beijing’s actions are aimed at intimidating those with different viewpoints and are “absolutely unacceptable.” He emphasized that the freedom of speech of parliamentarians is the cornerstone of Japanese democracy and demanded that China revoke the sanctions.
Seki Hei responded by stating that China’s actions violate universal values and constitute interference in Japan’s internal affairs. He took to social media platform X to express that he has “no assets in China and no intention to go there.” He described the sanctions as “nothing but a farce.”
Born in 1962 in Sichuan and a graduate of Peking University, Seki Hei became disillusioned with the CCP after the events of June 4, 1989. In the 1990s, he went to study in Japan and naturalized as a Japanese citizen in 2007. Over the years, he has published several works as a commentator and writer, specifically criticizing the CCP’s system and foreign policies. He has repeatedly raised his voice on Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands, Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong issues in the Japanese media.
In July of this year, Seki Hei was elected as a senator under the Japan Innovation Party, advocating for a tougher stance against Beijing. This marks the first time Beijing has sanctioned a sitting Japanese parliamentarian, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries and highlighting Japan’s shift towards a more assertive policy towards China domestically.
Prior to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Seki Hei called for Japan to boycott the Games, condemning CCP’s human rights abuses and accusing Beijing of “continuing to oppress the Uyghur people.” He has also warned that if Xi Jinping secures a third term, the risk of Beijing taking military action against Taiwan will further escalate.