Online Hate Targets Japanese Schools in China

The release of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant has sparked a wave of nationalism online, with influencers using jingoistic rhetoric and conspiracy theories to gain attention. This trend has even led to acts of vandalism against historic sites like the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo by Chinese individuals. Recently, hundreds of videos have surfaced on Chinese video-streaming platforms, fueling hostility towards Japanese schools in cities with significant Japanese business and worker presence. These videos often call for school closures, accusing them of secretly training spies. The blogger who analyzed nearly 300 such clips noted the effectiveness of anti-Japanese sentiment as a strategy for viral content.

In response to these incidents, Kuaishou suspended over 90 accounts promoting hostility between China and Japan. Teachers like Zhang in Shanghai have observed young children adopting anti-Japanese sentiments from media and family influences, raising concerns about the impact of online xenophobia on Chinese youth. Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa has urged Beijing to take action against these posts, emphasizing their impact on the safety of Japanese citizens and children. Meanwhile, some residents in cities like Guangzhou have shown support for Japanese schools by sending flowers and messages of apology.

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