CaliToday (28/12/2025): In a move that has left diplomats puzzled and netizens amused, the Chinese Embassy in Japan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on the evening of December 27 to issue a stern warning against the United States. However, the message, which concerned Washington’s latest massive arms sale to Taiwan, was written entirely in Japanese a strategic choice that has triggered a fierce and mocking backlash from the Japanese public.
The Message: Sanctions and Sovereignty
The post, quoting the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, slammed the U.S. arms deal as a "grave violation of Chinese sovereignty." Beijing announced it would impose immediate sanctions on 20 American defense enterprises and 10 high-ranking executives, frozen out in retaliation for the Taiwan package.
While the content was standard geopolitical rhetoric, the medium and the target audience raised eyebrows across the region.
Lost in Translation: The Japanese Reaction
Instead of projecting strength, the post became a magnet for derision. Japanese netizens, known for their sharp social media commentary, were quick to point out the absurdity of addressing the U.S. in Japanese.
The comment sections were flooded with skeptical inquiries:
"If you want to warn America, why not write it in English?" one user asked.
"Are these sanctions real, or just 'empty threats' to save face?" another quipped.
Some users went further, highlighting a perceived double standard: "You act like a boss to Japan, but only 'suggest' to the U.S.—are you afraid of them?"
The prevailing sentiment among Japanese commentators was that Beijing was merely "barking on the internet" while remaining remarkably cautious in its actual physical confrontations with Washington.
Washington Strikes Back
The response from the U.S. was swift. According to Kyodo News, the U.S. State Department immediately rejected China's sanctions, calling them "unjustified and provocative." Washington reaffirmed its "rock-solid" commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, asserting that such sales are consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act.
Analysis: Japan as a "Proxy Stage"
Geopolitical analysts suggest that by posting in Japanese, China may have intended to drive a wedge between the U.S.-Japan alliance or to signal to the Japanese government that they should not follow Washington’s lead on Taiwan. However, the execution appears to have backfired, reinforcing negative perceptions of "Wolf Warrior" diplomacy in Tokyo.
As tensions between the world's two largest economies escalate, Japan has found itself as an involuntary "middle stage" for this digital tug-of-war. The incident highlights a shift in modern warfare: it is no longer just about missiles and trade, but also about the battle for the "narrative" on social media—a battle that, in this instance, Beijing appears to have lost in the eyes of the Japanese public.
Source: Nikkan Sports (日刊スポーツ新聞社) & Kyodo News.
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