On November 12, actor Shosuke Tanihara appeared on the information program “Sun! Shine” (Fuji Television Network). He gave his personal opinion on the postings of Chinese Consul General to Osaka Xue Jian on X, such as “I have no choice but to cut off your filthy head without a moment’s hesitation,” in response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on the Taiwan emergency. In the broadcast, Shosuke Tanihara and Fumio Kishida had a heated discussion on “Hiroshima Carp” and “child-rearing.” In the broadcast, he introduced Prime Minister Koichi’s statement on November 7, when he said, “If, for example, the use of warships for something like putting Taiwan completely under the control of the Chinese government were to involve the use of force, I believe it would be a case that could become an existential crisis situation. I think it is a case of an existential crisis situation. In response to this, Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka said in X, updated on November 8, “That dirty head of yours, which you rammed into me without permission, I have no choice but to cut it off without a moment’s hesitation. Are you ready for this?” He also reported in the program that he had posted. Tanihara questioned this process, saying, “It is true that Consul General Xuejian has strong words, but it was also the Japanese side that threw the ball first, wasn’t it, Mr. Minemura? Guest speaker Kenji Minemura, a former reporter for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and a member of the Canon Institute for Global Studies, commented, “It is true that the statement is more intrusive than previous statements by the prime minister, but it is not a statement to be rescinded at all, and is an extension of Japan’s previous answers. A situation of existential crisis is also a possibility. I am talking about the obvious,” he replied. Tanihara, however, seemed unconvinced, saying, “Of course we are preparing a scenario, but has any prime minister ever gone this far in his statements?” He seemed unconvinced. About Tanihara’s statement, the Internet was filled with comments such as, “Tanihara is thinking about China’s reputation,” and “If I express a natural concern, does that mean I’m unilaterally throwing the ball? No one would be stupid enough to consider the other party after being threatened.
Hideaki Ishida