A July 9, 2020 record examining alleged Chinese Communist Party influence operations in Japan, including efforts to divide public opinion, weaken the Japan–U.S. alliance, influence anti-base campaigns in Okinawa, and pressure Japan through the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Global Times.

July 9, 2020
The “Silent Invasion” of Japanese Society: A Warning Against Chinese Communist Party Influence Operations and Attempts to Divide the Japan–U.S. Alliance
Influence operations conducted by the Chinese Communist Party differ from invasions involving the direct use of military force because their full extent is difficult for the public to see.
Over many years, influence is extended into the media, politics, business, universities, cultural organizations, civic groups, and social movements, dividing the target country’s public opinion from within and steering it in a direction favorable to China.
This is the essential nature of the Chinese Communist Party’s external influence operations exposed in Clive Hamilton’s book, Silent Invasion: China’s Influence in Australia.
The issue discussed here is by no means limited to Australia.
It is also a grave warning to Japan: China may have spent many years increasing the number of pro-China figures within Japanese society, dividing Japanese public opinion, and attempting to create a rift between Japan and the United States.
The claim that the Chinese Communist Party is operating behind anti-base campaigns in Okinawa is discussed in comparison with the alleged Soviet support for forces that opposed the 1960 revision of the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty.
Furthermore, the words directed at Japan by the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Global Times appeared, at first glance, to show understanding for Japan’s position.
In reality, however, they amounted to a threat that Japan would pay a price if it sided with the United States.
The strategy is to exploit internal divisions within democratic countries, separate the United States from its allies, and ultimately expand Chinese hegemony.
The issue raised in this article was not limited to the circumstances of 2020.
The following is a continuation of the preceding chapter.
“Silent Invasion”
Sakurai:
There is a book titled Silent Invasion: China’s Influence in Australia, written by Clive Hamilton, translated into Japanese by Shinji Okuyama, and supervised by Tetsuhide Yamaoka.
Silent Invasion exposes a strategy to turn the whole of Australian and New Zealand society pro-China, with the aim of transforming those countries into a second France—in other words, countries that say “no” to the United States.
China is attempting to separate the United States from its allies, diminish American power, and ultimately establish the hegemony of a Chinese empire.
It can be described as a warning addressed to Japan.
It is a book that I strongly recommend to the Japanese people today.
Kasai:
Over a long period of time, China has increased the number of pro-China figures in the media, political circles, and the business world, while plotting to divide Japanese public opinion and drive a wedge between Japan and the United States.
It is also said that the Chinese Communist Party is operating behind the anti-base campaigns being conducted in Okinawa.
It is the same structure as the Soviet Union’s support for forces opposing the 1960 revision of the Japan–U.S. Security Treaty.
Sakurai:
After becoming aware of the extent of Chinese infiltration, Australian Prime Minister Morrison displayed a strong sense of caution toward China, including by calling for an investigation into the exchanges between the Chinese government and the World Health Organization concerning the novel coronavirus.
This may also have been intended to restrain China as it strengthened its influence among Pacific nations.
When Prime Minister Abe stated on May 25, “It is a fact that the novel coronavirus spread from the city of Wuhan,” the Chinese Communist Party newspaper Global Times immediately published an editorial the following day titled, “Japan Is Not Australia and Is Being Forced to Remain Neutral.”
The editorial appeared, at first glance, to defend Japan’s position, stating: “Prime Minister Abe said that the novel coronavirus had spread from China, but he did not say that it had originated in China. While Prime Minister Abe called the United States Japan’s only ally, he also said that China is a very important country. Because the Japan–U.S. alliance is the cornerstone of Japanese diplomacy, Prime Minister Abe has no choice but to take the Trump administration into consideration.”
At the same time, however, it did not forget to issue a threat.
It concluded: “If, amid friction between the United States and China, Japan sides with its ally rather than with the side of justice—China—it will not be able to make use of the Japan–U.S. alliance as a matter of course.”
This was nothing other than a threat that Japan would not escape without consequences if it sided with the United States.
To be continued.