Text/Zhuji said
(All of the contents of this article have official reliable sources, specific information on the end of the article)
Recently, Japan has raised a strong protest over the publication of Chinese netizens of the Showa Emperor related malicious content, saying the move hurt the Japanese national feelings. to this, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly responded, stressing that network speech must comply with the law, while urging the Japanese side to honestly look at and reflect on the history of aggression.
As the core figure of the invasion of China, the Emperor has not been completely liquidated so far, and his historical role is controversial.Why is the history of Chinese netizens so sensitive when Japanese politicians frequently worship the Yogyakarta shrine and deny the Nanjing massacre?
Sino-Japanese diplomatic turmoil is resurfacing! AI spoofing Emperor Showa's video sparked controversy,
Recently, a video generated using AI technology of the "evil shootout Emperor" thrown a diplomatic shock bomb between the two countries. in the video appeared scary images, sparking strong protests of the Japanese government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded "are in the investigation."
This incident, which occurred on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, not only affected the sensitive nerves of the two countries, but also revealed the deep-seated entanglement of historical memories and national emotions.
AI technology detonates historical knot
It is understood that these controversial videos originally appeared on Chinese social platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu, and used artificial intelligence technology to generate a series of inappropriate images including "landing on all fours and making noises".
Japan's Cabinet Secretary-General Lin Feng said in a press conference on August 26 that "this is inappropriate" and revealed that the Chinese side had made negotiations through diplomatic channels, and the Japanese embassy in China also synchronized actions, demanding "appropriate response".
Currently, some videos have been deleted, but the incident continues to ferment. Some observers pointed out that in China's strict online regulatory environment, the spread of such videos is intriguing and even triggered speculation about "whether they were acquiesced." However, China's rapid launch of an investigation and deletion of some content also demonstrated its caution in handling sensitive issues.
Historical scars and national memory
Why does a spoof video cause such a big diplomatic storm? The answer lies in the long river of history. The reign of Emperor Showa (Hirohito) (1926-1989) coincided with the craziest stage of Japanese militaristic expansion. From the September 18th Incident in 1931 to Japan's defeat in 1945, China experienced a 14-year arduous war of resistance, with more than 35 million casualties.
This historical trauma is deeply rooted in the collective memory of the Chinese people, and Emperor Showa, as the supreme commander of Japan at that time, naturally became a symbolic figure in this history. It is worth noting that after the end of World War II, Emperor Hirohito avoided the war trial, which has been controversial in the international community.
Herbert Bix, a historian, clearly pointed out in his book Emperor Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan: "The emperor was not a passive puppet, but actively participated in war decision-making." This view broke the long-standing theory of "the emperor is innocent" in Japan.
Special sensitive points.
The timing of the incident was extremely delicate-just as China was about to commemorate the 80th anniversary of War of Resistance against Japan's victory. According to reports, a grand military parade will be held in Beijing on September 3rd, inviting Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders to attend and display the latest weapons and equipment.
At this moment of highlighting national dignity and commemorating historical victories, any historical symbol involving the war of resistance will become unusually sensitive.
In 2012, the "purchase of Diaoyu Islands" incident planned by Shintaro Ishihara, then Governor of Tokyo, caused a sharp deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations; in 2015, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's speech on the 70th anniversary of the war also caused controversy due to his vague understanding of history.
Difference between public sentiment and official position
It is worth noting that there is a clear temperature difference between the official position of China and Japan on historical issues and the public sentiment. The Chinese government has always advocated a policy of "learning from history and facing the future" towards Japan to promote the healthy development of bilateral relations. However, the public, especially young netizens, often show a stronger emotional reaction to Japan's historical attitude.
This sentiment has found new expression in the internet age. From the early days of "angry youth" to today's "AI spoof", the technical means are changing, but the historical knot behind them is unresolved. As one international relations scholar put it: "Although these videos are inappropriate, they also reflect the younger generation's thirst for historical truth and dissatisfaction with Japan's perception of responsibility for the war."
How to get out of the shadow of history?
Faced with this diplomatic turmoil, we need to think rationally: How to build future-oriented Sino-Japanese relations while respecting history?
First of all, historical cognition is the foundation. Japan does need to reflect more thoroughly on its war responsibilities, which is a prerequisite for building mutual trust. As former German Chancellor Brandt said: "Whoever forgets history will repeat the same mistakes."
Secondly, people-to-people exchanges need guidance. The Internet is not a place outside the law, and creativity should not cross the bottom line of basic respect. Healthy nationalism should be constructive, not destructive.
Finally, focus on common interests. As the world's second and third largest economies, China and Japan have huge space for cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environmental protection, science and technology. Historical issues should not become a stumbling block to cooperation.
At present, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that "the situation is under investigation," showing a responsible attitude. Although Japan protested, its wording was relatively restrained and avoided escalation of the situation. This approach shows that both sides value the bilateral relationship that has been difficult to rebuild in recent years.
The 80th anniversary of the victory should be an opportunity to reflect on history and cherish peace.As the Chinese leaders have said: “History is the best textbook and the best reminder.”
In this digital age, how to balance , national sentiment and diplomatic relations has become a new topic facing every country. This AI video incident may become a turning point, promoting both parties to think more deeply: How to jointly create a peaceful future while remembering history?
Source of Reference:
China social media appearance insulting the Emperor video Japan proposes negotiations 2025-08-27
Radio France International — Japanese Government Requests China To Take Measures Against Video of "Insulting Emperor Showa" 2025-08-26
Chinese netizens “insulted” the Emperor of Japan, Yuan Han rapist is angry, and demands that China seriously deal with 2025-08-28