Key Facts
• November 17: LDP’s Shoji Nishida criticized Chinese diplomat Xue Jian’s controversial post.
• Xue Jian, Consul General in Osaka, posted on X (formerly Twitter) on November 8.
• Xue’s post referenced PM Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan and collective self-defense.
• Xue wrote, “That dirty neck must be beheaded without hesitation.”
• Nishida called the statement “extremely rude” and “unacceptable for a diplomat.”
• Nishida urged Japan to consider declaring Xue “persona non grata” and expelling him.
• He argued keeping Xue in Japan would worsen public sentiment and bilateral relations.
• Nishida suggested China avoided reporting Xue’s remarks to its citizens.
• He claimed China might fear domestic backlash or acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
• Nishida called for PM Takaichi to take a firm stance on the issue.
Summary
Shoji Nishida, a member of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, criticized Chinese diplomat Xue Jian for a provocative social media post targeting Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. Xue’s post, which included a reference to “beheading,” was labeled “extremely rude” and “unacceptable” by Nishida. He urged the Japanese government to consider expelling Xue as a “persona non grata,” arguing that retaining him would harm Japan-China relations and public sentiment. Nishida also suggested that China avoided reporting Xue’s remarks domestically, possibly to prevent backlash or acknowledgment of fault. He called on PM Takaichi to respond decisively.
