CaliToday (23/11/2025): A seemingly innocuous detail—the license plate number ‘37-77’ on the vehicle associated with prominent Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi—has caused a stir across Chinese social media platforms, sparking a vigorous debate over historical memory and geopolitical signaling.
In the realm of high-level politics, every public image, gesture, and even vehicle detail is often scrutinized for hidden meaning. The number $37-77$ is being interpreted by many Chinese netizens not as a coincidence, but as a deliberate, subtle provocation tied to one of the most painful dates in Sino-Japanese history.
The Historical Nexus: The '37-77' Code
The number $37-77$ is immediately linked to July 7, 1937, known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident (Lúgōu Qiáo Shìjiàn, 盧溝橋事變) in China, or the "Shichishichi Jiken" (Seven-Seven Incident).
1937: The year of the incident, marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War and, by many accounts, the start of World War II in Asia.
07/07 (7/7): The exact date of the confrontation near Beiping (now Beijing) which escalated into a full-scale invasion by Imperial Japanese forces.
By associating this plate number with a high-profile figure like Sanae Takaichi—a conservative political heavyweight known for her hardline stance and frequent visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine—the interpretation shifts from random chance to calculated symbolism, viewed by critics as a re-enactment of the 'Seven-Seven Incident' right before the eyes of the Chinese public.
The Context of Sino-Japanese Tensions
The focus on the license plate cannot be separated from the current highly charged geopolitical climate and the broader historical grievances that fuel public opinion in China.
1. Military Pride and Symbolism
Chinese social media commentary often contrasts the perceived military weakness of China in the 1930s with Japan's current, formidable military capabilities. The commentary frequently highlights the strength of the modern Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which is arguably one of the most advanced naval forces in Asia.
Furthermore, the continued use of the Rising Sun Flag (Kyokujitsu-ki, 旭日旗) by the Japanese military a symbol that represented the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during its wartime conquests remains a deeply sensitive and provocative issue for China and South Korea. It is considered a haunting emblem of past aggression.
2. The Psychology of Public Diplomacy
The article also touches on an interesting, albeit unverified, psychological interpretation concerning diplomatic interactions, specifically referencing the alleged body language of Chinese diplomats (hands in pockets). While citing the psychoanalyst Freud, the claim posits that such a gesture signals inner inferiority or weakness.
However, in the context of this controversy, this psychological claim is used to suggest that Japan’s perceived arrogance symbolized by the $37-77$ plate—is a triumphant, Samurai-like act of defiance against a Chinese counterpart that has yet to truly overcome the shame of past defeat.
Takaichi's Political Significance
It is crucial to note that Sanae Takaichi is not the current Prime Minister of Japan but remains a highly influential figure in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and has previously served in senior cabinet posts. Her conservative platform and nationalist statements often make her a focal point for international scrutiny, particularly from Beijing.
Her association with the controversial license plate is thus viewed through a political lens, suggesting that the symbol is a form of "historical revisionism" or "veiled nationalism" being communicated via an unofficial channel.
This incident underscores the razor-thin sensitivity surrounding historical dates and symbols in East Asia, where even a four-digit number can ignite a media firestorm and reopen decades-old wounds.