The "War of Words" Between Japan and China Over the Taiwan Issue: Live Events Canceled, Travel Boycotts

1. The "Taiwan×Japan" Conflict Brought to the UN

On November 22, China finally brought its diplomatic friction with Japan to the United Nations.
China's UN Ambassador, Fu Cong, criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary remarks on a Taiwan contingency as a "serious violation of international law and diplomatic norms" in a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, claiming that Japan implied "military intervention" in the Taiwan issue.InfoMoney

The letter warned, "If Japan intervenes militarily in the Taiwan Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression, and China will resolutely exercise its right to self-defense under the UN Charter and international law."Reuters

An article distributed by Brazil's economic media InfoMoney also reported this letter as "the strongest expression in the escalating Japan-China conflict over the past two weeks," highlighting the unprecedented level of tension in bilateral relations.InfoMoney

2. The Trigger: Prime Minister Takaichi's "Existential Crisis Situation" Remark

The trigger was Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks in the Japanese parliament on November 7.
Takaichi stated that if China uses force against Taiwan, significantly impacting Japan's peace and security, it could constitute a "situation threatening Japan's existence (existential crisis situation)." This statement was based on the recognition that Taiwan is directly linked to Japan both geographically and in terms of security, being just over 100 km from Japan's Yonaguni Island.InfoMoney

The "existential crisis situation" is a concept introduced in the 2015 security-related legislation, serving as a legal switch for Japan to exercise limited collective self-defense. Takaichi's remarks were interpreted as signaling that this switch could be turned on in a Taiwan contingency.

Previous administrations maintained ambiguity by not answering hypothetical questions about specific situations, but Takaichi broke this practice, becoming the first prime minister to specifically link a Taiwan contingency to the possibility of Japan's military action through a legal concept.Reuters

3. China's Counterattack: Emphasizing History and International Law

The Chinese side positioned this remark not merely as an "explanation of legal interpretation" but as an open indication of Japan's intention for military intervention in the Taiwan issue.

Ambassador Fu's letter

• reiterated the traditional claim that Taiwan is "part of China"

• and that Taiwan was returned to China after Japan's defeat based on the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration

• Japan was supposed to respect the post-war international order and communication with China, acknowledging that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory"
  , arguing that Japan's current stance tramples on post-war agreements.Reuters

Furthermore, the Chinese government and state media have used language reminiscent of Japanese military aggression during World War II, criticizing the Takaichi administration with rhetoric like "militarism is reviving" and "losing awareness as a defeated nation."Wikipedia

This emphasis on the "history card" aims not only to consolidate domestic public opinion but also to instill the image in the international community that "Japan's military rise is dangerous."

4. "Invisible Sanctions" Spreading to Economy, Tourism, and Culture

The strain in Japan-China relations extends beyond diplomatic criticism, affecting the economy, human exchanges, and cultural interactions.

• The Chinese government advised its citizens to "refrain from traveling to Japan," and several Chinese airlines announced measures to accept free refunds or changes for tickets to Japan.

• As a result, there have been mass cancellations of tour reservations to Japan from China, raising concerns about the impact on retail, accommodation, and tourism industries that rely on Chinese tourists.Wikipedia

• The ripple effects have also spread to food trade, with the suspension of Japanese seafood imports and the shelving of negotiations to resume beef exports.Wikipedia

Furthermore, it has been reported that concerts by Japanese artists and screenings of Japanese anime films have been canceled or postponed in China, including in Beijing.Reuters

Although Beijing does not officially call these measures "sanctions," they effectively put pressure on the Japanese economy, highlighting the "risk of dependence on China" to companies and local governments.

5. Japanese Public Opinion: Between Support and Anxiety

How is this being perceived within Japan?

A public opinion poll conducted by Kyodo News after Takaichi's remarks showed that 48.8% were in favor and 44.2% were against Japan exercising collective self-defense if China attacks Taiwan, splitting opinions almost evenly.Reuters

On the other hand, over 60% support the Takaichi administration's policy to quickly raise defense spending to 2% of GDP, and the cabinet's approval rating has reportedly risen to about 70%.Reuters

On social media (X and Japanese forums), two main trends are noticeable:

• Voices supporting a strong stance
  "We've been underestimated because we've continued to take an ambiguous stance towards China. It's the first time we've said what needs to be said." "If Taiwan falls, Okinawa is next. It's a natural deterrent."

• Voices concerned about escalation and economic losses
  "The tourism industry and local export industries will suffer first." "Before talking about Taiwan's defense, there's a lack of discussion on civilian evacuation and economic risks."

Depending on one's stance, the same remarks can be seen as either a "message of deterrence" or a "provocation adding fuel to the fire," highlighting the complexity of this issue.

6. China's Social Media Space: Posters and "Witch" Branding

On Chinese social media, accounts of state institutions and state media play a central role in shaping public opinion.

• The military-related account "China Military" posted an image of a poster written in Chinese and Japanese stating, "If Japan intervenes militarily in the Taiwan Strait, China will certainly retaliate strongly."Wikipedia

• Accounts with strong propaganda tones, like "Jun Zhengping Studio," depict Japan's involvement in the Taiwan situation alongside photos of past wars of aggression, urging "history must not be repeated."Wikipedia

Furthermore, former editor-in-chief of the Global Times, Hu Xijin, called Takaichi an "evil witch," writing that her remarks have "triggered a new explosion of hatred in public opinion between China and Japan."Wikipedia

In posts by general users,

• "Japan wants to go to war again"

• "Stop buying Japanese products"
  are spreading, with hashtags like "#RejectJapanTravel" and "#BoycottJapaneseSeafood" reportedly appearing.Wikipedia

This kind of "online patriotism" is unfolding as a sort of online public opinion war, intertwined with government messages.

7. Taiwan and the International Community's Gaze

For Taiwan itself, the intensification of Japan-China conflict is not entirely welcome.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te criticized China's measures against Japan as a "blow to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," urging China to "exercise restraint." Meanwhile, leaders of the opposition Kuomintang described Takaichi's remarks as "reckless adventurism," expressing concern over escalation involving Japan.Wikipedia

On social media, among supporters of Taiwan's ruling party,

• "If Taiwan falls, Japan is also in danger. Japan's clear stance is reassuring."
  posts expressing gratitude towards Japan can be seen, while

• there is also strong resignation and anxiety that "Taiwan is being made the frontline of a power struggle between major countries."
  

Online public opinion in the US and Europe is divided between

• voices sympathetic to the Japan-US alliance, calling it a "typical example of China's economic coercion,"

• and voices warning that "Japan should also face history and be restrained,"
  indicating that tensions over the Taiwan Strait are becoming a microcosm of global value conflicts.Wikipedia

8. Why Has It Escalated So Much?

There are at least three factors behind the rapid spread of this crisis.

1. Domestic Political Circumstances

   • For Prime Minister Takaichi, strengthening defense capabilities and taking a tough stance against China are important themes that appeal to her support