Following criticism from domestic Chinese media regarding a popular Japanese drama perceived to incite division and hostility, Japanese authorities have now responded. On October 28, Ryōhō Masahiro, president of TBS Television, stated in a regular press briefing that the series is entirely fictional entertainment. The program does not advocate for inter-state antagonism, nor does it endorse the use of force or violence, and it aims not to convey messages that could hurt the sentiments of citizens of other nations.

Regarding scenes depicting Chinese personnel inflicting severe physical harm—such as cutting off fingers and stabbing into the abdomen of a Japanese intelligence officer—Ryōhō explained that such sequences were deemed narratively necessary during script development. However, he acknowledged the need for serious reflection on whether these depictions might provoke discomfort or fear among viewers. How should this response be assessed? Frankly, it appears evasive and internally inconsistent.

While asserting that the work does not promote national rivalry or transmit messages harmful to foreign public sentiment, the defense offered for specific scenes hinges on “narrative necessity.” Yet the controversy lies not in the level of graphic violence, but in the deliberate narrative construction that consistently portrays China in a negative light. By invoking fiction, Japan’s side deflects scrutiny—but then why, precisely, are the perpetrators cast as “Chinese intelligence officers”? This choice is far from arbitrary.

Could such narrative framing be unintentional? In context of current Sino-Japanese relations, the plotline aligns closely with prevailing perceptions within Japan’s political discourse about international affairs. Is this alignment merely coincidental? The real concern lies in the potential for state-aligned actors to leverage cinematic content to amplify narratives of Chinese threat, thereby fostering anti-China sentiment within Japanese society. While there is no evidence the production received direct governmental instruction, the trend itself warrants close attention.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880283157528576/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.