Chinese authorities have been systematically harassing Chinese citizens living in Japan who participate in activities Beijing deems “subversive,” according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Released on Thursday, the report sheds light on China’s efforts to suppress freedom of expression and maintain control over its nationals abroad, sparking growing concerns about transnational repression.
The report, based on interviews with 25 individuals of Chinese origin, including those from Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, reveals a disturbing pattern of harassment. These individuals, while engaging in nonviolent activism, have become the targets of threats and intimidation by Chinese police or diplomatic officials. Many of these citizens, who have fled their homeland to seek safety and freedom in Japan, continue to feel the heavy hand of China’s authoritarian regime from afar. The incidents highlight China’s attempts to extend its influence beyond its borders, often using families back home as leverage to stifle dissent.
Among the 25 interviewees, many have been engaged in peaceful activities such as organizing public events to raise awareness about human rights abuses in Xinjiang, promoting Tibetan culture, or discussing books written by Inner Mongolian activists. These seemingly harmless actions, however, have placed them squarely in the crosshairs of the Chinese government, according to HRW.
One of the more chilling accounts in the report came from a man of Uyghur origin, originally from Xinjiang, who recounted receiving a phone call from a family member back home. During the call, a Chinese police officer reportedly took over the conversation and told him directly, “I cannot guarantee what will happen to your family unless you comply.” The man was then pressured to return to China, despite the potential risks to his safety. In a subsequent conversation through a messaging app, he was told to provide information about other Chinese activists in Japan, an attempt to recruit him as an informant against fellow dissidents.
HRW’s findings show that such coercion is far from an isolated incident. Chinese authorities have used similar tactics to pressure activists in Japan, with consequences that range from intimidation to severe legal repercussions for families back in China. Many individuals, particularly from Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia, described how Chinese police contacted their relatives to deliver threatening messages, often urging them to halt their activism or return to China to face vague but ominous consequences.
The report also recounts the case of a woman who was arrested upon returning to Hong Kong in 2023. Her offense? Posting pro-democracy statements online while studying in Japan. This case exemplifies China’s growing effort to punish citizens, even abroad, for any actions deemed critical of the government. Her arrest after years of living overseas underscores the ever-present danger that Chinese citizens face if they voice dissent—even from foreign soil.
Another case involved a Tibetan cultural promoter living in Japan. Chinese authorities reportedly pressured the individual to return to Tibet to renew their passport, a demand that human rights organizations say is commonly used to force activists back into the country, where they are more vulnerable to government repression. For Tibetan activists, who often highlight Beijing’s repression of Tibetan culture and religion, renewing a passport can be fraught with the risk of arrest or long-term detention upon re-entry to China.
Similar stories are common among Inner Mongolian activists, who have faced increasing harassment for promoting their native language and culture. Beijing’s efforts to assimilate ethnic minorities into the dominant Han Chinese culture have met resistance, both within China’s borders and among the diaspora. However, as this report demonstrates, Chinese authorities are willing to pursue these advocates abroad to silence them.
Human Rights Watch describes these incidents as part of a broader trend of “transnational repression.” This refers to a nation-state’s attempt to silence, control, or intimidate its citizens abroad, often through direct threats, surveillance, or pressure on family members back home. China has long been accused of employing these tactics in countries with large Chinese diasporas, particularly targeting activists, dissidents, and ethnic minorities.
“China’s growing influence abroad is not limited to its economic or political power,” said Teppei Kasai, Asia Program Officer at Human Rights Watch. “We are witnessing the extension of China’s authoritarian control across borders, with the specific goal of silencing those who dare speak out against its policies.”
Kasai called on the Japanese government to take immediate action to protect those living in Japan from such coercion, urging authorities to establish a formal mechanism to report and investigate cases of transnational repression. “Japan should promptly establish a national system to investigate cases of transnational repression with appropriate safeguards for individuals’ privacy,” Kasai said.
While China has denied engaging in such activities, labeling them as baseless allegations, the HRW report presents a troubling picture of the Chinese government’s continued attempts to exert control over its nationals living abroad.
In response to the report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning dismissed the allegations, insisting that China adheres to international norms and that all actions conducted by its embassies or consular officials are “in accordance with laws and regulations.”
“We reject any unfounded accusations of transnational repression,” Mao stated during a press conference. “The Chinese government protects the legitimate rights and interests of its citizens abroad in accordance with international law and respects the sovereignty of the countries where they reside.”
Despite China’s denial, the HRW report adds to the mounting body of evidence indicating that Beijing is actively involved in harassing and intimidating Chinese nationals who are involved in political or cultural activism abroad. The Chinese government’s consistent use of diplomatic channels to monitor and pressure its citizens living overseas is becoming increasingly apparent, according to human rights advocates.
The Human Rights Watch report has placed increasing pressure on Japan to take a firm stance on transnational repression. While Japan has traditionally maintained strong diplomatic and economic ties with China, the revelations have raised questions about the Japanese government’s willingness to address the issue and protect individuals at risk.
Japan is home to a significant Chinese expatriate population, many of whom have left China due to concerns over political repression, censorship, or persecution based on ethnicity. However, many feel that Japan’s legal framework does not adequately protect them from the long reach of Chinese authorities.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for the Japanese government to take several concrete steps to address the issue.
Establishing a system to report and investigate cases of transnational repression: This would allow affected individuals to seek help from Japanese authorities, ensuring that their cases are documented and thoroughly investigated.
Strengthening privacy protections for those targeted: Ensuring that activists and dissidents can engage in political and cultural advocacy without fear of surveillance or harassment.
Providing greater support to vulnerable communities: Chinese citizens from regions like Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia are particularly vulnerable to harassment, given Beijing’s intense focus on these regions. Advocacy groups are urging Japan to provide legal assistance and asylum options for individuals facing such pressure.
The HRW report comes at a delicate time for Japan-China relations. While the two countries are major trading partners, tensions have grown in recent years over territorial disputes, Japan’s growing security alliance with the United States, and human rights concerns.
Japan has traditionally avoided taking a strong public stance on China’s internal human rights issues, preferring to focus on diplomatic engagement and economic cooperation. However, as more cases of transnational repression come to light, the Japanese government may find it increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Chinese government’s efforts to silence critics abroad also pose a broader challenge for the international community. Many countries, including the United States and several European nations, have documented similar instances of harassment and intimidation targeting Chinese dissidents living in exile. In response, some governments have begun implementing measures to protect individuals from foreign interference.
As China’s global influence continues to grow, the question of how to address its transnational repression will likely become a key issue for governments worldwide, particularly in countries like Japan with large Chinese expatriate communities.
