Chinese Authorities Intensify Threats Against Dissenters in Japan

Chinese authorities are reportedly threatening individuals from China residing in Japan, especially those from East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, discouraging protests and demanding information. Human Rights Watch highlights Beijing's attempts to silence critics abroad, urging Japan to resist China's transnational repression.

Chinese authorities are reportedly ramping up their efforts to intimidate Chinese nationals living in Japan, especially those critical of Beijing. This alleged campaign of harassment particularly targets residents from East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, with the aim of dissuading them from organizing protests or participating in events considered politically sensitive by the Chinese government.

According to Human Rights Watch, these individuals face pressure to inform on others in Japan. Teppei Kasai, an Asia program officer at HRW, stated that China seems unbothered by the moral implications of suppressing Chinese voices abroad. He urged the Japanese government to assertively communicate that it will not stand for China's extraterritorial repression.

HRW conducted interviews between June and August 2024 with 25 residents from Hong Kong, Mainland China, East Turkistan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, who were engaged in peaceful activism in Japan. The interviewees recounted being contacted by Chinese police via family in China, urged to halt their activities, and some shared evidence like message logs and video call recordings supporting their claims. Some even refrained from further activities due to fear, illustrating the far-reaching influence of Beijing's policies.

(With inputs from agencies.)