Overview
- Tokyo filed a formal protest demanding deletion and an explanation after China’s Osaka consul posted a threat referencing the prime minister; the post was later removed.
- Beijing denounced Sanae Takaichi’s comments as interference, described the diplomat’s message as a personal response, and said it had lodged protests with Japan.
- U.S. Ambassador George Glass reposted and condemned the deleted message, calling it a threat to Takaichi and the Japanese people.
- An LDP foreign affairs panel urged firm measures, including potentially declaring Consul General Xue Jian persona non grata unless Beijing addresses the incident.
- Takaichi defended her remarks as hypothetical and consistent with existing policy on a ‘survival‑threatening situation’ that could permit collective self‑defense, while pledging greater caution in future statements.