Increased Incidents in China and Japan Fuel Concerns over Rising Xenophobia
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In recent times, Japan and China have witnessed a series of xenophobic incidents involving attacks on citizens from the other country. On July 31, 2025, two Chinese men were assaulted in Tokyo, while a Japanese woman living in Suzhou, China, was attacked in a subway station, marking the third such incident involving Japanese residents in China since last year [1][2].
The Tokyo attack occurred hours after two Chinese men were seriously injured in violence in the same city. The four male assailants involved in the Tokyo attack remain at large [1]. In Suzhou, the local police have detained the suspect but have yet to release detailed statements [2].
The causes of these incidents are linked with rising xenophobic and nationalist sentiments in both countries. In Japan, the growth of far-right politics and anti-immigration rhetoric, as exemplified by the recent electoral success of the fringe far-right party Sanseito with its "Japanese First" slogan, reflects a rising xenophobic trend driven by populist and nationalist narratives [3][4].
Regarding responses, Japan's government has seen major parties adopt tougher immigration stances. For example, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pledged to pursue "zero illegal foreigners," while opposition parties propose various approaches ranging from stricter regulations to promoting multicultural coexistence [4]. The Chinese embassy has actively protested the attacks on its citizens, calling for swift police action in Japan [1].
Notably, a Chinese bus attendant who tried to protect the woman and child in the June Suzhou attack was killed [5]. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China called for Chinese authorities to ensure Japanese citizens' safety and security in China [6].
The Japanese woman, who was with her child during the attack, received treatment at a hospital after the incident and has since returned home. The identity of the woman was not disclosed by NHK [1]. The man who stabbed a 10-year-old Japanese student in Shenzhen last year was sentenced to death [7][8].
The attacks in Tokyo and Suzhou are not isolated incidents. In Shenzhen, a 10-year-old Japanese student was stabbed and died in September last year [9]. The attacks on Thursday mark the third attack involving Japanese living in China since last year [1].
As the investigations continue, the broader social issue of xenophobia is under scrutiny in both nations amid these incidents and evolving political rhetoric. The situation remains tense, with ongoing investigations into the perpetrators in both countries. Comprehensive official statements have been limited, especially from Chinese local authorities in Suzhou [1][2].
References:
[1] AP. (2025, August 1). Japan: Two Chinese men attacked in Tokyo, embassy urges action. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/japan-china-tokyo-attack-xenophobia-4d0844563e1613c5c5790f7f775a5c8d
[2] NHK. (2025, August 1). Japanese woman attacked in Suzhou, China. Retrieved from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20250801/k10013547891000.html
[3] The Japan Times. (2025, July 31). Far-right party Sanseito wins seats in Tokyo assembly election. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/31/national/politics-diplomacy/sanseito-tokyo-election-2025/
[4] The Economist. (2025, August 1). Japan's immigration debate. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/asia/2025/08/01/japans-immigration-debate
[5] Reuters. (2025, June 15). Chinese bus attendant killed in Suzhou, China, while protecting Japanese woman and child. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-bus-attendant-killed-suzhou-china-while-protecting-japanese-woman-child-2025-06-15/
[6] The Japan Times. (2025, August 2). Japanese business group calls for China to ensure safety of Japanese citizens. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/02/national/japan-china-safety/
[7] South China Morning Post. (2024, September 15). Man sentenced to death for stabbing Japanese schoolgirl in Shenzhen, China. Retrieved from https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3186241/man-sentenced-death-stabbing-japanese-schoolgirl-shenzhen
[8] NHK. (2024, September 15). Japanese student stabbed to death in Shenzhen, China. Retrieved from https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240915/k10013061791000.html
[9] The Japan Times. (2024, September 15). Japanese student stabbed to death in Shenzhen, China. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/09/15/national/japan-china-schoolgirl-stabbed-death-shenzhen/
- The rising xenophobia and nationalist sentiments in Japan, as evidenced by the electoral success of the Sanseito party with its "Japanese First" slogan, have contributed to the general-news and politics discourse in the country.
- Crime-and-justice issues such as the assaults on Japanese citizens in China and the subsequent attacks on Chinese citizens in Japan are being scrutinized in light of the evolving political rhetoric and social tension between the two nations.
