Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian.
The conduct of a foreign diplomat is bound by international law, mutual respect between states, and the principle that diplomatic privilege exists to facilitate dialogue, not to undermine a host country's political order.
When the already-controversial Chinese Consul General in Osaka issued a life-threatening post on X directed at Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, he crossed multiple red lines. His behavior warrants a firm and proportionate response. And the most appropriate and internationally recognized remedy is to declare him persona non grata under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
Diplomats may comment on international affairs. However, they are prohibited from interfering in the internal political processes of the host nation. A threatening remark aimed at Japan's head of government is not commentary ー it is coercive political messaging and dangerously irresponsible.
The Consul General's message challenges Japan's sovereignty and attempts to shape domestic political discourse through intimidation. Moreover, it disrespects the office of the prime minister. No democratic government can permit such behavior to pass without consequence, lest silence be interpreted as acquiescence.
Chinese Diplomat's Commonplace Discourtesy
Sadly, this type of offensive actions has been commonplace for Consul General Xue Jian. Living in the Kansai region which his consulate covers, I have long been aware of his extremist behavior during the past four years since he was assigned here.
Despite knowing of Xue, I was still horrified over his posting on X at 11:40 PM on November 8. Even the United States Department of State had previously identified him as a "Wolf Warrior" who promotes a one-sided, chauvinistic view of the world on China's behalf.
Written in Japanese, which he had studied in university, his message said: "We have no choice but cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready?"
Directed at Prime Minister Takaichi, Xue Jian deleted the post the next day, but not before the damage was done. Ironically, there is not a newspaper in the free world now that is not reporting his threat on the life of the leader of the country in which he is serving.
Intimidation and Security Threats
Xue's comments also reflect a security dimension.
A consul general holds a senior post with access to high-level officials and networks, official events, and influential interlocutors. When such an official uses his platform to menace the host nation's leadership, it signals either a breakdown in diplomatic discipline or a deliberate escalation by the sending state.
At the minimum, it makes a mockery of President Xi Jinping's efforts to pursue "mutually beneficial" relations with Japan under Takaichi. Those comments were stated in South Korea less than two weeks ago on October 31.
Beijing Adds Fuel to Its Undiplomatic Fire
In both cases, Japan has a responsibility to safeguard its political institutions and affirm the boundaries of acceptable diplomatic conduct.
Declaring the consul general persona non grata removes the immediate source of the problem and reasserts those boundaries.
The new Chief Cabinet Secretary, and former Minister of Defense, Minoru Kihara said the government "strongly protested" to Beijing over Xue's X post and demanded it be deleted. "While the intent of (Xue's) post is not entirely clear, we must say the comment ... was extremely inappropriate," the Chief Cabinet Secretary stated. Kihara also urged China to provide an explanation.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian added fuel to the fire by not taking responsibility. Instead, he heaped blame on Japan. In other words, he used Beijing's tried-and-true playbook.
Ignoring the essence of the diplomatic row China's diplomat caused, Lin said Xue's post was a "personal" one "directed at the erroneous and dangerous remarks that attempt to separate Taiwan from China's territory and advocate military intervention in the Taiwan Strait."
Threats of Personal Injury
From the perspective of precedent, Japan has exercised restraint even when confronted with sharp rhetoric or political pressure from foreign missions. Especially from China, including Xue. It was by no means Xue's first post. He has been provocative from the beginning.
However, threats against the physical well-being of the Prime Minister exceed what can reasonably be tolerated in diplomatic discourse. Failing to respond decisively would set a harmful example, invite further provocations and erode norms that protect Japan's political space from foreign interference.
Readers will recall the ill-fated and highly abnormal October 6 meeting between the Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao and leaders of then-coalition partner Komeito. The meeting took place just after Takaichi's election as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. Some reports suggested that Wu told Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito that he should end the coalition with the LDP. Saito, however, and the Komeito as a whole, have categorically deny those reports. Whether true or not, the timing of their meeting was unfortunate, raising concerns about China's attempts at one of the highest and grossest forms of foreign interference imaginable.
In contrast, Xue's death threat against Takaichi was public and not an isolated statement.
A year earlier, China's ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, also tried to intimidate the people of his host country as a whole. He threatened that, if Japan joined forces with those "seeking to split China" by helping Taiwan resist Chinese aggression, the Japanese people would be "dragged into the fire."
Expulsion to Restore Diplomacy
By threatening violence, both Chinese envoys violate Article 1 of the 1978 Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Their behavior is more like that of rogues from a pre-modern nation unfamiliar with diplomacy.
China, like the former Soviet Union in the past and North Korea today (anyone seeing a pattern here?), always puts pressure on the new leaders of foreign countries. Takaichi is brand new in office and China has been applying the pressure where they can. First was the Chinese president's failure to congratulate his Japanese counterpart when she took office. above attempted interference in the coalition government. And now this.
In the old Japan, under governments afraid of China, there would have been efforts at accommodation. But there is a new sheriff in town, and Takaichi's administration will not tolerate Xue's actions. Nor should it.
The Japanese government is waiting to see the final word from China. However, if that country's response is inadequate, Xue will undoubtedly be expelled. Hopefully it is done quickly, before China can relocate him before his four years are up here.
What Is Expulsion?
Expulsion does not foreclose diplomacy. It is a legal, nonviolent, internationally accepted tool that signals seriousness while leaving channels of communication intact through other officials. Furthermore, it restores equilibrium without escalating to measures that could damage long-term stability.
For these reasons — sovereignty, security, precedent, and the integrity of diplomatic norms — the Chinese consul general in Osaka should be declared persona non grata and required to immediately depart Japan.
Two More Reasons to Act
There are yet two other important calculations.
Note I said "calculations" and not "reasons." The above reasons are more than enough. Calculations include a level of decision-making beyond simple reasons or justification. They separate the "statesmen (or women)" from the "politician," the "leader" from the "follower."
First is the political calculation. The Japanese people have woken up in recent years to the threat China poses not only internationally but domestically. They understandably demand a measured, yet tough response from their leader. Declaring Xue persona non grata and putting the Chinese government and Communist Party on notice does just that.
Second is the diplomatic calculation. The world is watching Takaichi right now. If she goes ahead and declares him persona non grata, which just about any other sovereign country not under China's thumb would do, she will enjoy the respect and appreciation of the world. This is far more important than bilateral relations with China.
China will of course present an apoplectic face and continue to embarrass itself. Let it. Doing so will help highlight both the Taiwan issue, and even more so demonstrate the importance of diplomatic protocol.
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Author: Robert D Eldridge
Dr Eldridge is the author of "The Necessary Commander and the Unnecessary Fight: Colonel Nakagawa Kunio and the Battle of Peleliu" (Reed International, 2024) and the former political advisor to the Marine Corps in Japan.
