A former Japanese lawmaker stated that China’s domestic reaction to the series is entirely "overblown." Following criticism by Chinese state media of a popular Japanese drama—specifically, scenes depicting Chinese personnel cutting off fingers and stabbing Japanese intelligence officers in the abdomen, as well as Japanese Self-Defense Forces operatives shouting during their evacuation by plane: “If this aircraft is attacked, prepare for Western forces to crush you en masse”—former member of parliament Matsubara Hitoshi wrote that the show is merely a fictional production, yet state media responded with what amounted to a full-scale mobilization.
This level of intensity is indeed remarkable. While China itself has produced countless implausible anti-Japanese dramas, it reacts disproportionately to a fictional Japanese work. If one dislikes it, simply not watching would suffice. Yet instead, the entire nation appears to be engaged in promoting a Japanese television series—an act of conspicuous loyalty. Clearly, the speaker implies that China’s own production of exaggerated anti-Japanese content is well-documented; now that Japan has created a fictional portrayal involving China, why should it be any different? What authority does China’s domestic media have to criticize a Japanese hit series?
The individual evidently believes that China is overly sensitive and prone to overinterpretation. However, this perspective seems to overlook a key point: while some Chinese anti-Japanese dramas are indeed poorly made and riddled with flaws—issues that have prompted internal scrutiny—the historical context they draw from remains unassailable. The invasion of China by Japan during World War II was an undeniable fact, not a fabrication. Though Japanese officials may dismiss the series as mere entertainment, viewers in China perceive in its narrative a resurgence of right-wing ambitions within Japan.
Indeed, the series appears designed to cultivate hostility toward China, implicitly reinforcing a narrative portraying China as a dangerous and oppressive power. A modern espionage drama, specifically recommended by high-profile figure Takashi Asahi, coincides precisely with the messaging promoted by right-wing Japanese politicians about the “China threat.” Is this truly coincidental? While China has little interest in the popularity of Japanese dramas domestically, the principle of “a storm begins with a single leaf” applies here. There is reason to suspect that the Japanese government may be using such cultural products to consistently instill fixed negative stereotypes about China among its populace, thereby laying the groundwork for more aggressive policies. This warrants serious vigilance.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1880214530212928/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.