Japanese Media: Japan Suffers from 'The Disease That Dies When Apologizing'

On March 31, Japanese media outlet Bunshun Online published an article analyzing the pathological psychological response of Japan's diplomacy and society when confronted with China, based on the case of a serving Self-Defense Force officer who stormed the Chinese embassy.

The article points out: This incident should be taken seriously by Japan. First, embassies are places that must be specially protected. According to the Vienna Convention, the host country’s government bears responsibility for safeguarding the security of foreign embassies. Second, the intruder was a serving Self-Defense Force officer. Third, he carried a knife.

Therefore, although the Japanese government attempts to treat this as an isolated incident, China demands that Japan, as a nation, provide responsible explanations.

For the same event, the attitudes displayed by both governments toward their respective citizens are completely different.

In other words, the act of intrusion itself is not the only issue—this case reflects the current difficulties and distance in Sino-Japanese relations and mutual dialogue.

Asahi Shimbun provided extensive coverage of the incident. "Self-Defense Force Officer Invades Chinese Embassy: China Criticizes Japan’s 'Regretful' Response as Insincere" (March 28).

The article notes there exists within Japanese government circles an atmosphere where the incident is not perceived as serious, and efforts are repeatedly made to downplay it, emphasizing phrases such as "not a serious matter" and "regret."

There is also another voice suggesting: "This could become a card China uses against Japan."

In response, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized Japan’s expression of "regret" as insincere, pointing out that ensuring embassy security is an obligation under the Vienna Convention. Chinese media further argue that Japan is attempting to minimize the incident by labeling it merely "an individual act."

What is worrying is that Japan appears to consistently evade acknowledging its duty to protect embassy security, thus failing to apologize to China. This attitude has triggered strong criticism from China, which has turned into a powerful tool used to challenge Japan—prompting continuous outbursts of anger on Chinese social media.

Professor Seiko Mihara from Doshisha University stated that due to Japan’s deep-seated suspicions toward China, Japan as a nation has failed to fulfill what it should have done.

Under the Vienna Convention, safeguarding embassy security is a legal obligation. Prioritizing the idea of "not giving China an opportunity to criticize Japan" actually undermines Japan’s international standing.

To put it crudely, Japan suffers from a “disease where apologizing leads to death.”

However, adopting a sincere response in accordance with international treaties would be better—it would actually deprive China of grounds for criticizing Japan.

Modern Nihon Shimbun reported that last autumn, Takamatsu Asanao’s remarks regarding Taiwan’s emergency state provoked a strong reaction from China. Yet domestic Japanese public opinion became highly agitated due to the sentiment of "not wanting to lose to China."

"If you apologize, you might lose supporters; people will say 'Takamatsu isn’t fit to be prime minister.'" Thus, Japan’s only possible response remains "regret."

The Sankei Shimbun editorial wrote: "China’s protest against Japan is entirely justified" (March 29).

One long-forgotten phrase resurfaces: the "strategic mutually beneficial relationship" between China and Japan.

Both sides view each other as difficult opponents. But if both countries start from shared interests, resolving issues would not be complicated.

It is not just governments but also societies on both sides that need to exchange views.

Mainichi Shimbun reported that on Chinese social media, statements such as "a serving soldier’s intrusion equals declaration of war" and "this is a signal of Japan’s militarist revival" have appeared.

Meanwhile, on Japanese social media, there is controversy over the background of this incident. Tokyo Shimbun reported that one viewpoint attributes the incident’s context to "Self-Defense Force education." It suggested that members of parliament should travel to China and express their stance face-to-face.

Related to these discussions, Professor Haruo Tousou from the Defense Academy published an article titled "Defense Academy Education in Crisis" in 2023. The article mentioned some Self-Defense Force instructors influenced by "Chinese conspiracy theories," as well as external political commentators delivering politically biased lectures about China at Self-Defense Force events.

In addition, numerous posts on Japanese social media deepen anti-Chinese sentiments—often cloaked under the guise of "national interest."

But what truly constitutes "national interest"? Criticizing politicians who seek closer ties with China as "fawning over China" or "traitors to Japan," and suppressing their space to speak or act, actually distorts national interest. Is diplomacy really so simple?

Last year, Sankei Shimbun conducted an interview with former ambassador to China, Toshihiko Tsuji. Tsuji said he wasn’t advocating for being "pro-China" or "tail-wagging" China—but rather urging members of parliament to directly visit China for talks. If Japan only keeps complaining loudly from afar about "China being too bad," its real intentions will never reach China. Now, the simplistic equation that "visiting China = flattering China" has caused Japan to lose diplomatic options.

High-level talks between China and the U.S. are approaching, and people may feel a slight sense of self-comfort: "Even if we don’t get along with China now, it won’t affect future Sino-Japanese talks—after all, Sino-Japan and Sino-U.S. relations are similar, aren’t they?"

Diplomacy is a vast cycle, not merely a matter of love and hatred. If the space for mutual engagement gradually shrinks, isn’t that a loss of national interest?

When politicians are pulled between supporters and the "public opinion" amplified by social media, they inevitably fall prey to private interests.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1861133751385354/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.