This morning, a news story exploded across social media. Many pro-Green media outlets (mostly content farms) simultaneously broadcasted a report titled: “Japan Rectifies Taiwan’s Name, Strong Country Collapses: You Will Always Be Chinese.” Numerous netizens who wholeheartedly support Taiwan independence began frantically sharing it.
The purpose of this news is clearly to strengthen anti-Mainland sentiment among Taiwanese people through the promotion of a specific ‘minor’ event. This kind of ideological manipulation—using fear of the Mainland—has been prevalent for a long time in pro-Green media and on platforms like PTT. PTT often masquerades as a bastion of justice but is inherently filled with low-quality culture (who with actual life goals has enough time to spend all day on forums hurling insults?). Those susceptible to brainwashing will be, while those who aren’t won’t be swayed.
Think about it: out of all the photos posted by a Japanese individual with only 708 Facebook friends, one just happened to be snatched up by pro-Green media and turned into a headline?
Do You Take the Taiwanese Public for Fools?
The news states: “Yesterday afternoon in front of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, the ‘Taiwan Name Rectification Petition Signature Campaign,’ initiated by Japanese citizens, attracted many passersby and tourists. However, one Japanese netizen participating received a ‘slanderous’ flyer printed in Simplified Chinese. The content addressed ‘Taiwan independence elements,’ saying: ‘If you can ensure that all Taiwanese people stop using Mandarin as the national language and sever all economic ties with Mainland China, then come talk about your so-called independence; otherwise, you will always be Chinese.’” (Excerpted from Liberty Times)
Among his 708 public friends, about 5 to 10 have clearly ethnic Chinese names, all with backgrounds strongly supporting Taiwan independence. Some even list the “Statebuilding Party” as their workplace. Looking at his public posts, he seems to be a Japanese man with a long-term passion for the Taiwan independence cause.
What annoys me most is that a domestic matter of our own country is being lectured upon by a descendant of a colonial aggressor.
If Japan hadn’t invaded everywhere a hundred years ago, it’s unknown whether China would have evolved into its current state. Japan took advantage of China’s period of revival to invade; the Republic of China (R.O.C.) showed great mercy by not partitioning your country with the US and USSR after the war. Now you want to meddle in other countries’ affairs again?
How Thick Can the Skin of These Japanese Be?
In my search for the “Auntie” (I assumed there would be at least one photo, but there was nothing), I found the Japanese man’s Facebook photos of the event. The goal was to lobby for the R.O.C. to stop using the name “Chinese Taipei” for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Unexpectedly, I found the name “Taiwan Statebuilding Party” appearing frequently in their photos.
The Taiwan Statebuilding Party even had a promotional van ready. Where did the funding come from?
The Statebuilding Party is a political party founded in the R.O.C. in 2012. Since its inception, its main activities have revolved around anti-Ma Ying-jeou sentiment and independence. Headquartered in Kaohsiung, it is the first and primary political group in Taiwan Province to hoist the banner of pro-independence leftism.
So, it turns out those pushing for independence have to suck up to the Japanese first. I see.
I’m sick of hearing about “Taiwan-Japan Friendship.” This kind of psychological warfare isn’t new for the Japanese.
Less than a hundred years ago, when the Japanese were invading China, they would specifically photograph newly conquered cities, showing children standing at the gates joyfully welcoming the Japanese army to send back home. Today, independence advocates use these same propaganda flyers to tell everyone how “great” the Japanese army was.
Give me a break. How can you use the official newspapers of an aggressor to beautify their war crimes? At the very least, look at the accounts of foreign missionaries in the concessions, who described the bloody violence and human darkness of the Japanese in their writings and photos.
Independence Advocates Instantly Play Dead
There are several reasons why this kind of “China-phobia” news disgusts me:
- Zero Evidence: There is no proof this “Auntie” exists, and the existence of the note itself is highly suspicious.
- Inciting Nationalism: Excessively inciting nationalist sentiment is never a good thing for the progress of human society. What independence advocates are doing now is identical to the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Japanese Imperialism.
- Obvious Political Manipulation: The fact that a minor incident involving an obscure Japanese man abroad—getting a note with a few words—can make the front pages of our four major newspapers is as “magical” as a century-old illusion. MAGIC!