In the wake of the recent controversy surrounding Japanese Prime Minister Katsumasa Hayashi’s remarks about Taiwan, journalist Chang Ping has commented on the use of coarse language in political discourse and its potential influence on younger generations. The incident saw significant backlash from Chinese state media, with derogatory language directed at Hayashi, reflecting a troubling trend in which vulgar expressions are utilized as a show of national strength.
The remarks made by Prime Minister Hayashi during a parliamentary session indicated that any aggressive action from China towards Taiwan could be deemed a threat to Japan’s survival, suggesting Tokyo might respond militarily if conflict arises across the Taiwan Strait. In response, China’s Deputy Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, made highly inflammatory remarks on social media, calling for violent retribution against Hayashi, which raises alarms about the normalization of aggressive rhetoric in diplomatic circles.
Chang Ping noted that while many Chinese families teach their children to avoid derogatory nicknames, such as using homophones for insult, this lesson appears to be ignored by official narratives. Instead, certain officials and media outlets seem to embrace the use of crude language as a symbol of cunning or strength, which can lead to a dangerous precedent for nationalistic fervor among the youth.
Despite ongoing government efforts to curb the use of ‘lowbrow’ language online, as seen in recent reports criticizing phrases perceived as vulgar, the celebration of insults by public figures is counterproductive. Reports from the National Cyberspace Administration have previously highlighted concerns about the pervasive spread of such language, which finds its roots in political struggles and societal attitudes.
Historically, language violence has been part of political violence, as portrayed in past eras of Chinese political life that employed crude expressions for political suppression. Chang Ping draws parallels between these historical political tactics and the current environment, where coarseness is increasingly associated with righteousness.
This situation highlights a clear disconnect between governmental efforts to promote civility and the actions of official representatives who resort to vulgarity. As Han Ping reflects, the potentially harmful implications of such language on younger generations who are absorbing these messages from their leaders warrant serious examination.
Amidst these challenges, there remains hope that civil discourse and respectful communication can prevail, guiding the next generation towards a more constructive dialogue in international relations. The need for a collective effort to foster positive communication norms is more critical than ever, especially as global tensions persist.