Former TV Asahi employee and journalist Toru Tamagawa appeared live on the station’s “Hatori Shinichi Morning Show” (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM) on January 18. He discussed the growing tension in Japan-China relations. President Xi Jinping also smiled! In the waiting room, he exchanged greetings with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (from X) Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated at the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives on August 7, “The Taiwan contingency could become an existential crisis situation. Since recognition of an existential crisis situation means that the right of collective self-defense can be exercised, the Chinese side vehemently objected. On August 8, Xue Jian, the Consul General of Japan in Osaka, said in X: “That dirty head of yours, which has rushed in without permission, we have no choice but to slice it off without a moment’s hesitation. Are you ready for it?” He vehemently opposed Koichi’s statement with provocative phrases (the post was later deleted). The situation escalated further, with both countries exchanging accusations and protests. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a warning to refrain from traveling to Japan for the time being. Consul General Xue Jian in Osaka, who was said to be “close to pro-Japan,” made an “extreme post,” but Tamagawa said, “But I don’t want the Japanese side (in China) to see it that way. We don’t want to be seen that way. So when something like this happens, there may be a tendency to say even more radical things. However, later, the Chinese side deleted the post, and he commented, “I guess that means that even in my home country, they must think that I said something bad. I think I may have gone too far.