Japan's New Leader Plays 'Diplomatic Theater,' Chinese…

Key Takeaways

• A Chinese influencer calls Japan's new PM Takaichi's foreign policy "碰瓷外交" (provocative diplomacy) and "传媒外交" (media diplomacy).
• The creator mocks Takaichi's claim of "constructive dialogue" as hollow, citing Japan's actions like downgrading ties and Taiwan remarks.
• The video reflects rising Chinese public skepticism toward Japan's leadership, framing it as subservient to the U.S. and West.

Japan's new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's foreign policy—call it "provocative diplomacy" or "media diplomacy"—isn't just clumsy; it's a masterclass in self-parody. I'd argue her government's style deserves its own idiom, something future generations might use to curse at politicians. I propose "奴延高要" (slavish and shameless). "奴延" captures how they grovel before the U.S. and Western powers, with nothing but flattery to offer. "高要" mocks their arrogance—demanding everything while clinging like a stubborn dog. And the whole act reeks of "狗皮膏药" [Note: literally "dog-skin plaster," a Chinese idiom for shameless pestering or fraud], which fits Takaichi's name as a homophone joke. Call it what you will—they're insatiable, never giving up their schemes.

A Provocative Stunt at ASEAN

This "slavish and shameless" diplomatic model was on full display when Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi used such tactics to provoke our foreign minister and Russia's Lavrov at the ASEAN meeting. Then Takaichi herself launched her own performance. On July 27, at a press conference, she was asked how to improve Sino-Japanese relations. She called China an "important neighbor" and claimed that "comprehensively advancing a strategic mutual benefit relationship" and building a "constructive and stable" bilateral tie has been her consistent policy since taking office. She stressed dialogue at all levels and venues, saying talks are ongoing through various channels, including with Foreign Minister Iwaya.

Wait—so you're telling me that's your "consistent policy"? Then what about your earlier statement that "a Taiwan emergency is a Japan emergency"? Was that just a mix of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and laughing gas? You talk about "strategic mutual benefit," but didn't Japan unilaterally downgrade our dialogue? Didn't Japan actively stir trouble, like reclassifying China as a "security threat"? Is that your idea of mutual benefit? And when we banned exports of rare earth materials and gallium and germanium, was that a gift from heaven to you?

Dialogue or Delusion?

You say dialogue is happening at all levels and venues. What dialogue? When our ships sail near our own borders, you send vessels to shadow us—is that dialogue? That's more like a scolding. When the Philippines sails through the Taiwan Strait, is that dialogue? That's looking for a fight. And Iwaya—a Japanese foreign minister at an international conference treats a polite nod as "dialogue." So if I curse at you later, does that count as a friendly exchange? Am I engaging in constructive dialogue with you too?

You even had the nerve to mention Iwaya specifically. Do you not watch international news, or just ignore Chinese and Russian reports? You're living in a dream. Who's communicating with Iwaya? Is it because we all breathe the same air, so touching air means touching us? What do we have to say to you? You're hallucinating—do you really think we treat you as equals?

I already thought Iwaya publicly provoking our foreign minister at an international event was shameless enough. But Takaichi outdoes him—at least Iwaya showed up to the meeting. You're communicating with thin air. By your logic, I've also "communicated" with the Japanese government—I'm representing my personal view, telling them: go home, roll away, don't get too comfortable.

Why It Matters for International Readers

This video captures a growing sentiment among Chinese online nationalists: Japan's new leadership under Takaichi Sanae is seen not as a pragmatic partner but as a U.S. proxy engaging in performative diplomacy. The creator's language—mocking Japan as "slavish" to the West and accusing it of hypocrisy—reflects a broader public distrust that shapes Beijing's room for maneuver. For international readers, this isn't just rhetoric; it signals that any conciliatory gestures from Tokyo will face deep skepticism in Chinese public opinion, complicating efforts to stabilize ties.

The stakes are real. Japan and China are intertwined economically—trade, supply chains, and regional security all hinge on their relationship. Takaichi's hawkish stance on Taiwan and security, paired with her calls for dialogue, creates a contradiction that Chinese commentators are quick to exploit. This dynamic matters beyond the region: as the U.S. pushes allies to counter China, Japan's role is pivotal. If Chinese public opinion views every Japanese overture as a trap, diplomatic breakthroughs become harder, raising risks of miscalculation in the East China Sea or Taiwan Strait.

For outsiders, this video offers a window into how Chinese influencers frame geopolitical rivals—not as adversaries to respect, but as figures to ridicule. That tone, amplified across platforms like Douyin, can harden nationalist sentiment and constrain moderate voices on both sides. Understanding this isn't about endorsing the view; it's about recognizing the emotional undercurrents that policy analysts often miss.

Sources

• Original: Douyin video (creator name unknown, late July 2025) — transcript provided by user.
• Context: Reuters — "Japan's Takaichi becomes prime minister, vows to boost defense," July 2025.
• Context: AP — "Japan PM Takaichi calls China 'important neighbor' amid strained ties," July 2025.

SUMMARY: A Chinese influencer ridicules Japan PM Takaichi's diplomacy as "slavish and shameless," exposing public distrust that complicates Sino-Japanese ties and regional stability.

Originally published on China View.