Following the release of Japan’s nuclear wastewater into the sea, there has been a new surge of anti-Japanese sentiment in Mainland China. A popular internet personality and university teacher in Mainland China, known as Xiang Yi, faced intense online criticism after she mistakenly said “our Japan” while introducing a book on a social media platform. As a result, she was forced to resign from her position. Videos of a tearful Xiang Yi apologizing and announcing her resignation have gone viral in Mainland China over the past few days, but they have only led to more netizens condemning her. Many questioned her sentiment, asking, “What kind of emotion makes you say ‘our Japan’ as a slip of the tongue?”
In her video, Xiang Yi explained that the incident began when she mistakenly referred to “our Japan” while introducing a Japanese book in a live stream. This has led to her being frequently reported and cyberbullied over the past two years.
Based on online information, Xiang Yi posted videos on August 22, 24, 25, and 26, talking about her intention to resign from the university. Many netizens speculated that she was doing this for attention or to gain more followers. On August 27, she released another apology video, which again led to a barrage of criticism from Mainland Chinese netizens.
Several comments from Mainland Chinese netizens included:
- “How can you have the nerve to post this video?”
- “Dear, this isn’t persecution; this is seeking justice.”
- “You deserved it; how dare you cry.”
- “No ordinary Chinese person would ever mistakenly say ‘our Japan’.”
- “People like her are mentally colonized; I can’t ever imagine saying ‘our Japan’.”
- “She’s playing the victim? She hurt our patriotic feelings; we are the ones who should feel wronged.”
According to Baidu Baike, Xiang Yi’s real name is Zhang Ting. She holds a Ph.D. and graduated from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. She was formerly a teacher at a university’s School of Architectural Engineering and is also a content creator on Douyin (known as TikTok internationally).
Amidst the rising anti-Japanese sentiments among the public in Mainland China, the Japanese embassy in Beijing recently issued a notice on its Japanese version webpage. It warns Japanese citizens in China to be cautious when speaking Japanese loudly in public and to be mindful of their words and actions.