TOKYO – A severe diplomatic row erupted between Japan and China on Monday, escalating from sharp rhetoric to violent threats after a high-ranking Chinese diplomat threatened to "cut off that dirty neck" in response to Japan's new prime minister hardening her stance on Taiwan.
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| Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a press conference after the South Korea Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) |
Japan's government lodged a "strong protest" with Beijing, condemning the message as "extremely inappropriate."
The spat shatters the diplomatic cordiality from the recent APEC summit and signals a new, more contentious chapter in Asia's most critical rivalry, just one month after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office as Japan's first female leader.
The "Existential Threat" Remark
The firestorm began on Friday when Takaichi, a well-known ultraconservative, was questioned in parliament about scenarios that would legally constitute a threat to Japan.
Takaichi stated that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan, such as a naval blockade or actions to prevent U.S. forces from intervening, could "by all means become a survival-threatening situation" for Japan.
This specific phrase is a crucial piece of legal terminology. Under Japan's post-war constitution, it is the legal trigger required for Japan's Self-Defense Forces to engage in "collective self-defense" and use force to aid an ally.
While Takaichi's predecessors have been cautious, her remark was seen as a significant deviation, directly linking Japan's own security to Taiwan's defense and explicitly opening the door to military intervention.
Beijing's Furious Response
Beijing's reaction was swift and furious. Over the weekend, Chinese Consul General Xue Jian, based in Japan, posted a (since-deleted) message on the social media platform X:
"We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready?"
Xue also blasted the long-held Japanese conservative line, popularized by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, that "a Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency." He called it "blatant interference of Chinese internal affairs" and demanded a retraction and apology.
Tokyo Protests, Beijing Doubles Down
On Monday, the Japanese government officially responded to the diplomat's threat.
"While the intent of (Xue’s) post is not entirely clear, we must say the comment... was extremely inappropriate," Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters. He confirmed that the Foreign Ministry had lodged a "strong protest" and demanded the post be deleted and explained.
In Beijing, however, officials were defiant. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed Xue's post as a "personal one" but defended its sentiment, saying it was "directed at the erroneous and dangerous remarks" from Japan.
Lin then revealed that Beijing had lodged its own "solemn complaints and protests" against Prime Minister Takaichi's comments.
"Is Japan attempting to challenge China’s core interests and obstruct the great cause of China’s reunification?" Lin challenged. "Where does Japan intend to take China-Japan relations?"
China regards the self-governing island of Taiwan as part of its territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.
Takaichi's New Era
The row suggests that the Japan-China relationship is heading for a rocky period under Takaichi. The confrontation comes despite what appeared to be a cordial meeting between Takaichi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the recent APEC summit in South Korea.
However, Takaichi, who has committed to significantly beefing up Japan's military, also angered Beijing at the summit by meeting with Taiwan’s representative the day after her meeting with Xi.
Facing a domestic controversy, Takaichi later attempted to backpedal, pledging that her remarks were within the previous official line, but the diplomatic damage was already done.
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