Hiroshi Nishimura, founder of the Japanese online forum 2ch, with 2.68 million Twitter followers, and a frequent commentator on entertainment and socio-political issues. Photo: Screenshot from his X account

Emotional hardline rhetorics toward China, which ignore the reality of mutual dependence, may lead Japan to repeat the mistakes of war, Japanese social media influencer Hiroshi Nishimura, who has 2.68 million followers on X, expressed his concern in an interview with the Global Times on Wednesday. In his view, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi increases the burden on ordinary people to please her supporters, as her erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question have drawn strong backlash from China.

Hiroshi Nishimura photo: Screenshot from Youtube

On November 16, Nishimura — founder of the Japanese online forum 2ch and a frequent commentator on entertainment and socio-political issues — criticized irresponsible remarks by some netizens and celebrities that sought to stoke anti-China sentiment in a post published on X. He called on people to listen to the real opinions of laborers and farmers in Japan.

Screenshot from Hiroshi Nishimura X account

He noted in the post that if China were to halt exports to Japan, the country would face a shortage of fertilizers, leading to insufficient food supply; at the same time, a scarcity of rare earths would bring the high-tech industry to a standstill. He also shared two charts illustrating Japan's economic links with China across multiple sectors. 

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her hand to answer a question during a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee at the National Diet in Tokyo, Japan on November 12, 2025. Photo: VCG

When asked to comment on Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan question, Nishimura stated that such remarks, made to please a segment of supporters, are wrong and have caused negative economic consequences, placing a greater burden on the general public.

"Only a segment of supporters backs Takaichi's claims, and they do not represent the will of the entire Japanese people," he noted.

Reflecting on the World War II history he knows, Nishimura noted to the Global Times that before Japan went to war with the US, the Japanese Navy issued a report analyzing resource supply and weapons manufacturing capacity, concluding that even if Japan went to war with the US, victory would not be possible — a fact that was understood by some at that time.

However, because the Japanese public and media failed to make rational judgments, Japan still went to war, causing massive casualties in many countries, according to him.

"I fear that emotional hardline policies toward China, which ignore the reality of mutual dependence, may lead Japan to repeat the mistakes," he said.

In his November 17 post on X, he also condemned the irresponsible Japanese media during World War II for inciting public emotions, resulting in the deaths of many civilians during the war.

In the comments under his posts on X, many Japanese netizens expressed agreement with his views. "Even Hiroyuki has started speaking seriously. That shows just how bad things have gotten under Sanae Takaichi's incompetent right-wing administration," one of his followers commented. Several users also noted that since Takaichi took office, some media narratives have misled the public.

"Politicians shouldn't chase short-term popularity and votes; they should take a broader view and guide the country toward peace," one user wrote. Others warned that a government that allows the arbitrary use of the so-called "right to collective self-defense" is extremely dangerous.

"Most Japanese people want to avoid conflict, and the Chinese friends I have met are also peace-loving and hardworking. A minority of radicals should not be allowed to disrupt the peaceful lives of the majority," Nishimura told the Global Times.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at the November 19 regular press conference that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan have fundamentally eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations and triggered strong outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people.If Japan refuses to retract them or even continue to pursue the wrong course, China will have to take strong and resolute countermeasures and all consequences arising therefrom will be borne by Japan. "China seriously urges Japan to retract the erroneous remarks, stop making provocations on issues concerning China, take practical steps to admit and correct the wrongdoing, and uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations," said the spokesperson.