100,000 Japanese nationals may become hostages in CCP China

Edited translation

Evacuate China as soon as possible! Experts warn that "100,000 Japanese nationals may become hostages"

“100,000 Japanese Nationals may be hostages: Expert warns of immediate evacuation from China”

Editor : Fang Xun / Source: China Times News Network / https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/1204/2315016.html

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan in the Diet in early November sparked tensions between China and Japan, impacting commercial performances and the tourism market. Renowned Japanese economic and security analyst Hiroji Hirai published his book, "The Destruction of Japan" (tentative title), at the end of November. He argues that Japan's biggest problem comes from mainland China, which is waging a "war without weapons" against Japan. He warns that if something happens to Taiwan, 100,000 Japanese residents in mainland China could become hostages, as Chinese leaders have the power to suspend international flights, and Japanese companies in China must consider withdrawing.

On 3 November 2025, the Japanese media outlet "President Online" excerpted content from Hirai's new book, reporting that since Xi Jinping came to power in 2013, he has promoted economic growth and national development. In 2015, Beijing announced the "Made in China 2025" industrial policy, aiming to strategically transform China's labour-intensive manufacturing into a technology-intensive one, becoming a high-value-added manufacturing powerhouse, with the goal of achieving global leadership in 10 major fields, including semiconductors, by 2049.

In 2017, the Central Commission for Integrated Military and Civilian Development proposed the "Military-Civilian Integration" industrial policy, running parallel to "Made in China 2025." This policy mandates the direct use of civilian resources for military purposes and that technological inventions should prioritize military applications. The 2019 PLA National Defense White Paper mentioned "intelligent warfare," prompting Hirai to warn that this would drastically alter the nature of warfare, as artificial intelligence (AI) could make the battlefield truly unmanned.

War without weapons

As early as 1999, the PLA published the concept of "unrestricted warfare," advocating that all fields could be used as means of warfare or become battlefields, such as trade, finance, high technology, and the environment. This concept has been around for a quarter of a century, and daily life is now filled with products using Chinese-made semiconductor chips. Hirai points out that China is using economic activities, free trade, and even labour immigration as weapons to wage a war against Japan without weapons. Since Xi Jinping came to power, he has successively promulgated regulations to effectively implement highly restrictive industrial policies, marking a complete shift from reform and opening up to regulatory control in China.

Five major potential consequences Japanese companies should be wary of in case of emergency

Before Xi Jinping came to power, the 2010 National Defense Mobilization Law regulated the obligations of Chinese citizens and enterprises both inside and outside China under Beijing's defined status. If China issues a mobilization order, not only Chinese citizens and businesses, but also foreign companies operating in mainland China will be affected. Hirai points out the potential consequences for Japanese companies:

1. If Chinese employees are absent due to military service or support missions, employers must provide support and ensure full payment of wages, allowances, and benefits during the absence.

2. Assets may be seized, requisitioned, or frozen, and employers cannot refuse.

3. Logistics, internet access, international and domestic flights, import/export trade, and commercial activities may be suspended. Customs and transportation may be restricted, entry to certain areas may be prohibited, business hours may be restricted, and business licenses and permits may be suspended or revoked. These could render foreign companies' factories and subsidiaries unable to operate.

4. Bank accounts in China may be frozen, financial assets seized, and accounts receivable may be forcibly abandoned.

5. Foreign executives, employees, and business travelers may be temporarily or permanently unable to leave the country.

"Evacuation is the only solution"

Hirai warned that Japanese business leaders have virtually no risk management capabilities to deal with such events, and the consequences of flight suspensions are particularly severe. A 2024 survey by the Imperial Japanese Database showed that there were 13,034 Japanese companies operating in China, an increase of 328 from 2023. According to statistics from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of October 2024, 97,538 Japanese citizens resided long-term in China. Adding the employees of tens of thousands of Japanese companies and Japanese citizens who frequently travel between the two countries, the total is estimated at around 100,000. With international and domestic flights suspended, these 100,000 people cannot return home on their own, and Japan cannot possibly repatriate all 100,000 at once. He bluntly stated that before all this happens, the most important thing to change is the mindset of Japanese businesses determined to expand their presence in mainland China.

Hirai pointed out that anti-Japanese education is deeply ingrained among China's 1.4 billion people, and there have been numerous attacks on Japanese nationals in recent years. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait and Okinawa are escalating. If conflict breaks out, it is difficult to guarantee that attacks by Chinese citizens will not recur. After comprehensive consideration, he advocated that Japanese companies withdraw from mainland China as soon as possible, as this is the only solution, and the Japanese government must create conditions that allow Japanese companies to leave China.

Editor: Fang Xun Source: China Times News Network Please indicate the author and source when reprinting and keep the content intact.

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