Hong Kong patriotic groups stage anti-Japan demonstrations on anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender

Groups of patriotic Hongkongers have staged anti-Japan demonstrations in front of the country’s consulate on the 81st anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.

Around 20 people gathered outside One Exchange Square in Central, where the consulate is located, on Saturday morning. The people, most of them elderly, raised Chinese flags and condemned Japan as “shameless.”

They brought a prop doll of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wearing underwear with a pattern of the rising sun flag – the controversial flag of Japan’s imperial army. It is seen as a symbol of Japanese military aggression during its occupation of Korea and parts of China.

See also: Hong Kong officials absent from Japan consulate event amid diplomatic tensions

They also displayed a placard showing a Japanese imperial army soldier, and placed a banner on the ground reading “down with Japanese imperialists; oppose the resurgence of militarism.”

The protesters described themselves as “a group of voluntary Hong Kong citizens.” They condemned Japan’s act during World War II as well as the Japanese government led by Takaichi.

“During the invasion of China, Japanese forces engaged in looting, murder, rape, and committed all manner of atrocities. It can’t be forgiven,” the protest group said in a Chinese statement.

HKFP has reached out to the Hong Kong Police Force.

Another demonstration, organised by a group called “Caring and Protecting Hong Kong Association,” was also staged on Saturday morning, NowTV reported.

Around 20 people chanted slogans and marched from Central Station to the Japanese consulate. They later pasted a petition letter on a pillar in front of the consulate, according to NowTV.

Escalated tension

The protests came amid rising tensions between China and Japan, sparked by Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan in November last year.

Takaichi said in parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Beijing considers Taiwan as part of China’s territory, a claim the island’s government rejects.

The comments have strained ties between the two Asian countries. Beijing reacted furiously to Takaichi’s remarks, warning Chinese nationals against travelling to Japan and imposing tougher export controls on strategic goods to the country.

Following the escalated tension, Beijing advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan. In January, Japan’s only two pandas, which had lived in a Tokyo zoo on loan, were returned to China prematurely.

Earlier this year, Japan authorities deployed long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, state backed newspaper China Daily reported.

Citing the opinions of scholars, the newspaper said the missiles’ extended range “exceeds the scope of defense” and could escalate regional tensions.

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