In a move that has reignited longstanding frictions between Beijing and Tokyo, China’s Foreign Ministry announced sanctions against Japanese House of Councillors member Seki Hei on September 8, 2025. This development, centered on allegations of spreading misinformation and interfering in China’s internal affairs, underscores the fragile state of Sino-Japanese relations amid disputes over territory, history, and human rights.
Who Is Seki Hei?
Seki Hei, born Shi Ping in Sichuan Province, China, in 1962, is a naturalized Japanese citizen since 2007 and a prominent critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). After graduating from Peking University and earning a PhD from Kobe University in Japan, he transitioned from academia to political commentary, authoring books like The China of Conspirators and contributing to outlets such as JAPAN Forward. His disillusionment with the CCP deepened after the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, leading him to advocate for democracy and human rights.
In July 2025, Seki achieved a political milestone by winning a seat in Japan’s Upper House election under the Japan Innovation Party’s proportional representation system. His campaign emphasized constitutional reform, stricter immigration policies, and a harder line against China, including calls to protect Japan from perceived hegemonic threats. Despite facing online slander and racism for his Chinese origins—issues he publicly addressed—Seki’s victory highlighted his appeal among conservative voters wary of Beijing’s influence.
What China Announced and Why It Matters
On September 8, 2025, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared countermeasures against Seki, accusing him of “spreading fallacies” on sensitive issues including Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands (known as Senkaku in Japan), historical matters, Xinjiang, Xizang (Tibet), and Hong Kong. Beijing also cited his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine—a site honoring Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals—as violating the “one-China principle” and four key political documents from 1972 onward that normalized relations.
The sanctions, effective immediately, include:
- Freezing any movable or immovable assets Seki holds in China.
- Prohibiting Chinese organizations and individuals from transactions, cooperation, or other activities with him.
- Denying visas and entry to China (including Hong Kong and Macao) for Seki and his immediate family.
This aligns with China’s broader enforcement of its 2021 Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, updated in March 2025, which targets perceived threats to its sovereignty. Reuters and Global Times reported the announcement, framing it as a defense against “grave interference” in internal affairs.
What Seki Hei Has Actually Said and Done
Seki’s criticisms are well-documented and stem from his personal experiences and scholarly background. Key facts include:
- Taiwan and One-China Principle: Seki has argued against China’s claims over Taiwan, suggesting Beijing fears Taiwan’s potential CPTPP membership could undermine its global standing. This directly challenges the one-China principle, which Japan officially acknowledges but navigates carefully in its alliances.
- Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands: He has supported Japan’s control, aligning with Tokyo’s protests over China’s gas field developments in the East China Sea as recently as August 2025.
- Human Rights in Xinjiang and Tibet: Seki has accused China of Uyghur genocide, echoing international concerns during the 2022 Beijing Olympics boycott debates. UN reports and U.S. designations support such claims, though China denies them as fabrications.
- Hong Kong and History: His commentary on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movements and historical revisions, like questioning Nanjing Massacre narratives, has drawn ire.
- Yasukuni Visits: As a Japanese politician, Seki’s shrine visits symbolize remembrance but provoke China due to the site’s association with wartime aggression.
These positions are factual expressions of Seki’s views, protected under Japanese free speech laws, but Beijing interprets them as interference, especially from a former Chinese national now in politics.
Separating Myth from Reality in the Controversy
Amid the buzz on social media and news outlets, several false or exaggerated claims have surfaced. Here’s a fact-based debunking:
- Claim: The Sanctions Stem from Racism in Japanese Politics Against Chinese-Born Individuals: False. While Seki faced online racism during his campaign—leading to a brief withdrawal in June 2025—he ultimately won his seat, proving his acceptance among voters. The sanctions target his anti-CCP stance, not his ethnicity.
- Claim: Seki Hei Has No Real Ties to China, Making Sanctions Unjustified: Misleading. Born in China and educated there until 1988, Seki retains cultural links, and China views his criticisms as betrayal. However, as a Japanese citizen, he operates under Tokyo’s jurisdiction, rendering asset freezes symbolic since he likely holds minimal property in China.
- Claim: This Is Part of a Broader Anti-Japanese Hate Campaign Fueled by WWII Films: Partially exaggerated. While 2025 saw a surge in patriotic WWII dramas stirring nationalism—leading to isolated incidents like children destroying Japanese toys—state media urges moderation to avoid violence. Japan’s Foreign Ministry warned citizens of risks, but no widespread protests have erupted yet.
- Claim: Japan Has Not Responded, Signaling Weakness: Incorrect. Though specific to Seki, Japan has protested similar Chinese actions, like misquoting PM Ishiba in March 2025. Expect a formal lodge of discontent, as seen in recent East China Sea disputes.
These debunkings rely on verified reports, countering sensationalism that amplifies division.
Reasons Behind the Controversy:
The sanctions aren’t isolated but rooted in deeper Sino-Japanese rifts:
- Territorial and Security Tensions: Ongoing disputes over the Senkaku Islands, with Japan’s 2025 defense white paper labeling China’s military as its “biggest strategic challenge.” China’s gas explorations and Japan’s alliances with the U.S. and Germany exacerbate this.
- Historical Grievances: WWII anniversaries in 2025, including Nanjing-focused films, have heightened anti-Japanese sentiment, deflecting domestic discontent in China.
- Seki’s Rise as a Symbol: As a Chinese-born critic turned Japanese lawmaker, Seki embodies Beijing’s fears of internal dissent influencing foreign policy. His election in July 2025, amid calls for a tougher China stance, timed poorly with Xi Jinping’s efforts to consolidate power.
- Broader Context: U.S. tariffs and trilateral talks with South Korea in March 2025 add pressure, with China urging Japan to avoid “confrontation.”
This controversy serves as a deterrent to other critics while bolstering domestic nationalism in China.
How Was the Controversy Settled?
As of September 8, 2025—the day of the announcement—the issue remains unresolved, with no immediate settlement. Sanctions are in effect, but their practical impact on Seki, who resides in Japan and has limited China ties, is largely symbolic.
Japan is likely to protest diplomatically, as it has in similar cases, potentially through foreign minister channels. Past precedents, like eased visa requirements in 2025, suggest backchannel talks could de-escalate. However, with WWII commemorations ongoing and elections looming, full resolution might hinge on high-level summits planned for later in 2025.
Experts predict no quick fix, but mutual economic interests—Japan’s rare earth access concerns and China’s trade dependencies—could prompt quiet negotiations. For now, the standoff highlights the need for dialogue to prevent escalation into broader conflicts.
A Wake-Up Call for Sino-Japanese Relations
The Seki Hei sanctions controversy encapsulates the volatile mix of history, territory, and ideology plaguing China-Japan ties in 2025. By analyzing the facts and debunking myths, it’s clear this is less about personal vendettas and more about strategic posturing. As both nations navigate a multipolar world, fostering mutual understanding—perhaps through upcoming security talks—could pave the way for stability.
