In a recent parliamentary debate, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takai stated that “if a situation arises in Taiwan, it may constitute a ‘crisis of survival’ for Japan, and under the constitution, military force could be used to defend the country.” On the evening of November 8, Xue Jian, the Chinese Consul General in Osaka, made threatening remarks on the social platform X, saying, “For those who proactively come forward, that dirty head, there is no choice but to decisively chop it off.” This sparked public outrage.
The comments have caused a great controversy and Xue Jian has since deleted the post. On November 9, the Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank and veteran media figure Akihio Yaita expressed that such threatening remarks coming from a current Consul General lack the rationality and restraint expected of a diplomat, severely damaging China’s international image.
He noted that the reaction from the Japanese public has been extremely strong. There are many angry voices online: “This is not a personal opinion, but the true thoughts of the Chinese (Communist) government.” “A diplomat threatening to decapitate the Japanese Prime Minister is in effect declaring war on a sovereign nation!” “This person in Japan has already posed a threat to Japan’s security.” “Regardless of political stance, such language cannot be tolerated.” Many are calling for an official apology from the Chinese government and urging the Japanese government to respond firmly.
Yaita revealed that this is not the first time Xue Jian has sparked controversy due to his words and actions. He cited instances where Xue Jian publicly endorsed a pro-China minor political party, “Reiwa Shinsengumi,” before Japanese parliamentary elections, criticized Japanese political figures insultingly on social media, and publicly warned lawmakers including Jin Matsuhara and Ichiro Wada not to have dealings with Taiwan.
He expressed, “Such provocative behavior indicates that this diplomat does not understand the boundaries and decorum a representative of a country should uphold while stationed in a foreign land.” Yaita also mentioned that he has known Xue Jian for almost 20 years, stating, “At that time, I was a reporter for Japan’s ‘Sankei Shimbun’ stationed in Beijing, and he was the Director of the Asia Department Japan Division at the Chinese (Communist) Foreign Ministry. I thought he was a normal person with whom communication was possible. Unexpectedly, shortly after he was assigned to Osaka, one day he suddenly named and criticized me on social media for my remarks made in Taiwan, calling me an ‘ungrateful white-eyed wolf.’ Clearly, by then, he had already become ‘possessed by wolf warrior diplomacy’.”
Yaita’s senior at the Matsushita Political and Economic School and House of Representatives member, Jin Matsuhara, had advocated for “Xue Jian to be considered an unwelcome individual and be expelled from the country.” Yaita hopes that this time Prime Minister Takai will take a tough stance and not allow such individuals to continue to act arrogantly in Japan.
Xue Jian’s remarks not only shocked Japanese society but also sparked heated discussions within the Chinese community.
On the social platform X, many prominent accounts reposted the post, expressing disbelief, “The entire network is reposting a major event: Xue Jian, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Osaka, made threats to decapitate Prime Minister Takai! Is this a warning of an assassination attempt on the Japanese Prime Minister?” “Is this the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China declaring war on Japan!”
“Now Xue Jian’s tweet has gone viral. You can easily find several threads just by tapping casually. The few Japanese accounts I follow are all resharing. This situation has really escalated.”
“The whole network is flooded by this guy Xue Jian. The product of wolf warrior diplomacy should quickly roll back to the motherland and accept the reward. As a diplomat, he is definitely going to be expelled.”
Public records show that Xue Jian is a 57-year-old native of Lianshui, Huai’an, Jiangsu Province. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Asian Division of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and assumed the position of Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Osaka in November 2021 with the rank of ambassador.