Recently, the Consul General of the Chinese Communist Party in Osaka, Xue Jian, sparked strong condemnation from the Japanese political circle for making violent threats against Japanese Prime Minister Kaichi Sanae on social media. On Monday (November 10), the Japanese government confirmed that it had officially protested to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, demanding the deletion of the relevant content and an explanation.
The incident began on November 7 when Prime Minister Kaichi stated during a budget committee meeting in the House of Representatives that if the Chinese Communist Party were to impose a maritime blockade on Taiwan or take military action, this could constitute a “crisis of survival” for Japan, implying that Japan could exercise collective self-defense rights. This is the first time the incumbent Prime Minister has clearly indicated a direct connection between “Taiwan-related issues” and Japan’s security.
Subsequently, on the night of the 8th, Xue Jian reposted a relevant article from the Japanese newspaper “Asahi Shimbun” on his personal account, with a caption stating, “That filthy head that has intruded on its own will must be chopped off without hesitation,” and added phrases like “Are you ready?” with a strongly threatening tone. The post was later deleted, but it was reported by several media outlets with screenshots.
Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Tsuboi Minoru, stated in a press conference on the 10th that Xue Jian’s remarks, as a Chinese (Communist) foreign consulate official, were “extremely inappropriate”, and noted that both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Embassy in China had lodged strong protests to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, demanding the immediate deletion of the related posts.
It is reported that the Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kinai Masaaki, met with officials from the Chinese Embassy in Japan on the 9th, reiterating the protest. As of the evening of the 9th, the related posts were no longer visible.
Regarding the consideration of requesting Xue Jian to leave the country, Tsuboi stated that the government had identified several instances of his inappropriate words and actions and was repeatedly requesting the Chinese side to take appropriate measures, and will continue to urge the Chinese authorities to provide a clear explanation.
On the 10th, Prime Minister Kaichi Sanae reiterated in parliament that she would not retract her statement that “a crisis of survival may be created if there is an issue related to Taiwan.” She stated during the budget committee meeting in the House of Representatives that this statement was based on the worst-case scenario assumption and is in line with the government’s existing position.
Kaichi pointed out, “I will avoid making overly detailed responses in the future,” but clearly stated, “This is a statement in line with the government’s consistent stance, and there is no intention to withdraw or change it.”
This is not the first time Xue Jian has caused controversy. During the 2024 Japanese House of Representatives election period, he openly called on Japanese voters to cast their proportional representation votes for the pro-Communist left-wing political party “Reiwa Shinsengumi,” which was criticized by the Japanese government as “obvious interference in internal affairs,” and protested to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, leading to the deletion of the post.
The violent remarks against the Prime Minister this time are seen as a more serious diplomatic gaffe. Kyodo News quoted Japanese government officials as saying that this action is “an unprecedented diplomatic gaffe in the diplomatic world.” The Yomiuri Shimbun cited foreign policy experts pointing out that Xue Jian’s remarks may violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Nikkei editorial criticized Xue Jian as being “unfit for a diplomat” and called on the government to consider designating him as “persona non grata.”
Several members of parliament expressed “extreme indignation” about this. Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the House of Representatives, Matsumoto Hitoshi, posted on X…
…continue to request the Chinese authorities to take appropriate actions, and will continue to urge the Chinese Communist authorities to provide a clear explanation.
Kaichi Sanae reaffirmed in parliament on the 10th that she would not withdraw her statement that “a crisis may occur if there is an issue related to Taiwan.” During the budget committee meeting in the House of Representatives that day, she explained that this statement was based on a worst-case scenario and was in line with the government’s consistent position.
She emphasized, “I will avoid providing overly detailed responses in the future,” but clarified, “This statement follows the government’s consistent views, and I have no intention of retracting or amending it.”
This is not the first time Xue Jian has stirred controversy. As early as during the 2024 Japanese House of Representatives election, he openly called on Japanese voters on social media to vote for the pro-Communist left-wing political party “Reiwa Shinsengumi,” which was criticized by the Japanese government as “clear interference in internal affairs.” A protest was lodged with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, and the post was subsequently deleted.
The violent remarks made against the Prime Minister this time are considered a more serious diplomatic faux pas. Kyodo News quoted Japanese government officials as saying that this action represents “an unprecedented mishap in the world of diplomacy.” The Tokyo Shimbun cited foreign policy experts who pointed out that Xue Jian’s statements may violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Nikkei editorial criticized Xue Jian as “unfit for a diplomat” and called on the government to consider listing him as “persona non grata.”
According to public records, Xue Jian is 57 years old, from Huai’an, Jiangsu Province, and previously served as the Deputy Director-General of the Asia Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since November 2021, he has been serving as the Consul General in Osaka, with the rank of ambassador. As of now, Beijing has not issued a public response to the incident.