Japan's media are collectively silent—this is the real alarm signal!
China's embassy in Japan has been threatened three times within 40 days: threatening letters, a knife-wielding intruder scaling the wall, and a bomb warning. Yet all these incidents are linked to the Self-Defense Forces.
But after reviewing Japan’s mainstream newspapers, one finds not a single substantial in-depth report. They have neither questioned the management loopholes within the Self-Defense Forces nor condemned the radicalization of right-wing factions. Not even basic analysis of case connections appears—only brief 30-second news clips reporting just headlines.
This is not negligence—it’s collusion!
Japan’s media behavior here stands in stark contrast to their past practices. Once, a Chinese tourist losing a wallet triggered a three-part drama series, discussing everything from "Chinese people’s quality" to "social systems." Yet now, a Self-Defense Force officer enters a foreign embassy with a knife—something that would be a major national security scandal in any normal country—but Japan’s media have collectively gone silent.
Scholar Zhuo Nansheng once remarked that Japan’s media possess three key tools: uniform messaging, overwhelming coverage, and emotionally charged dramatization. This time, they’ve chosen one of those tools—ensuring that what the public sees is always only the fragment the authorities want them to see.
We must not think this silence is merely “no reporting.” Silence itself is a form of reporting. It tells everyone clearly: this matter is unimportant; don’t ask about the perpetrator’s identity; don’t touch the issue of the Self-Defense Forces. It’s nothing short of a despicable evasion.
Let’s look back at the timeline: the embassy reported the incident on March 5th, but Japanese police “did not take it seriously.” Nineteen days later, an active-duty Self-Defense Force officer scaled the wall with a knife. Just a week after that, another bomb threat followed. The embassy has engaged in nearly 30 negotiations with Japanese police. After more than 40 days, there has been no progress whatsoever. Meanwhile, Taro Aso is busy pushing constitutional amendments to elevate the Self-Defense Forces into a “national defense force.” When you place these two events side by side, Japan’s true ambitions become clear.
In my view: the most frightening thing isn't evil being committed—but everyone choosing to pretend they can’t hear or see it. Japan’s media are marching down a path of no return through their silence. When Japan’s media close their eyes, history will open its own. After all, during a snowstorm, no single snowflake is innocent.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862775500469451/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.