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【#1414】Don’t Repeat Hollywood’s Mistake

Tomoko Seo ／ 2026.11.04 (Wed)


November 2, 2026

　
Beijing is putting pressure on the popular Japanese TV drama “Vivant” airing on the TBS network. The drama is a fictional entertainment work. At a press briefing on October 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the drama, saying, “This TV drama once again exposed the persistent existence of a certain force within Japan that attempts to use cultural products to distort and smear China’s image and spread anti-China sentiment.”

Exploiting fiction to bash Takaichi

Season 2 of Vivant, which started on July 26, features a battle between fictitious intelligence organizations affiliated with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and with China. In response to this fictional storyline, the Chinese side launched a coordinated wave of criticism through state-controlled media and official bodies, such as the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka, beginning with a report by the state-run China Central Television (CCTV) on October 25. Chinese state-controlled media took issue with a scene aired on October 4 in which a member of the Chinese-affiliated organization tortures a Self-Defense Forces intelligence officer. This means that the Chinese side turned the matter into a political issue more than twenty days after the episode aired. Why?

The Chinese side has not hidden its intention to link Vivant to criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. On October 26, the China Global Television Network (CGTN) Japanese, an international broadcasting division of the CCTV, posted a lengthy message on X, formerly Twitter. The message condemned Vivant as a “fake drama” that could instill the hostile view of China advocated by right-wing politicians into ordinary people and characterized the first year of the Takaichi administration as being “out of control.” Moreover, on October 29, it warned against the “poisoning” of Japan's cultural and entertainment industries by a new form of militarism, stating that “many of Japan's leading companies have provided commercial backing for the program” and that “Sanae Takaichi has publicly recommended it by name.” The prime minister only told the House of Representatives Budget Committee on October 14 that she would be happy to watch the video record of the drama during the yearend and New Year holiday period. In short, China is exploiting the fictional work to engage in “Takaichi bashing” and cause disruption.

Protect the freedom of expression

Realities in China are far more disturbing than fiction. Beijing has cracked down on Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Mongolians, imposed censorship as a matter of routine, and “educated” for decades Chinese people through absurd anti-Japanese dramas.

In recent years, China has used the threat of withdrawing Chinese money to “educate” other countries as well. Many Japanese, American, and European companies have succumbed to the threat, apologized to China, and engaged in self-censorship. Hollywood is no exception. China has been gradually eroding the freedom of expression beyond its own borders.

On October 29, Sanrio Company, Ltd. announced the cancellation of its collaboration with Vivant involving the production and sale of related merchandise, and issued an apology after being singled out for criticism from China. The Chinese side has explicitly criticized the drama's cast members, director, and sponsors, and even mentioned NHK’s year-end Grand Song Festival due to be hosted by the lead actor of the drama, further intensifying its pressure campaign.

There must be no modification of domestic TV programs, nor any self-censorship, as a result of China's “cross-border censorship.” If Japan fails to protect its freedom of expression, the country will be eroded by the values of authoritarian states, and freedom itself will disappear. Japan's entertainment industry must not repeat Hollywood's mistake.

Tomoko Seo is a Planning Committee member at the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals and Editor in Chief of Sankei Shimbun Syuppan.