On November 27, 2025, at a routine press briefing, the Chinese mainland’s Defense Ministry spokesman, Jiang Bin, sharply criticized Japan for allocating over ¥13.1 billion in recent years to programs that he said aim to cultivate pro-Japan attitudes among residents of the Taiwan region.
According to an investigative report cited by Jiang, these initiatives are viewed as a modern extension of Japan’s “Japanization” campaign during its colonial rule of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. By framing today’s efforts as “more covert,” Jiang accused Tokyo of attempting to whitewash its wartime aggression and erode the national identity of young people in the Taiwan region.
Jiang warned that historical narratives cannot be rewritten and cultural ties intrinsic to the broader Chinese community must be preserved. “We urge people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to stay alert to any political manipulation that flatters foreign powers, betrays the island’s heritage, or leads to forgetting one’s ancestors,” he said.
Beyond bilateral relations, analysts say this episode highlights a broader trend: governments worldwide are harnessing soft power and cultural programs to shape public opinion. Japan’s diplomatic and cultural outreach in East Asia has expanded in recent years, focusing on youth exchanges, education grants, and media partnerships.
For young global citizens, these developments raise key questions about how identity and history influence cross-border engagement—and what role transparency and media literacy play in safeguarding cultural narratives.
As tensions simmer, Jiang’s remarks underscore how soft power initiatives can become flashpoints in regional politics. Observers will be watching closely to see whether Tokyo or authorities in the Taiwan region respond to these allegations—and how Beijing may escalate its own efforts to promote historical awareness.
Reference(s):
Beijing slams Tokyo for funding pro-Japan indoctrination in Taiwan
cgtn.com
