Rising Tensions between Japan and China

Ken Kato, a Tokyo-based funerary business owner, has expressed concerns about traveling to China due to safety risks for Japanese individuals. Recent incidents, including the detention of a Japanese employee in Beijing and violent attacks on Japanese citizens, have escalated tensions between the two countries.

Incidents Fueling Tensions

A series of alarming events, such as the attack on a Japanese woman and her son in Suzhou, have stirred outrage in Japan. The Japanese government has urged China to investigate the motives behind these attacks and ensure the safety of Japanese nationals.

Perceived Anti-Japanese Sentiments

Critics have suggested that anti-Japanese propaganda in China’s education system and media may be contributing to hostility towards Japan. The media coverage of attacks has led some Japanese to reconsider travel plans to China.

Growing Concerns

Amid escalating tensions, some Japanese believe that China’s failure to address anti-Japanese sentiments could have negative long-term consequences. Japanese businesses are reevaluating their operations in China, considering relocating to Southeast Asia due to safety concerns.

Call for Action

Japanese lawmakers have raised questions about the government’s response to the safety of Japanese nationals in China. Some critics believe that China’s government has the ability to curb anti-Japanese sentiments but chooses not to, leading to further hostility between the two nations.