Chinese Announcer Who Mocked "Japanese Earthquake as Retribution" Ultimately Removed from Duties

"Inappropriate Remarks" Criticized but Some Express Agreement
Kyodo News Points to Worsening Anti-Japanese Sentiment as Background

Following reports of significant damage caused by an earthquake in Japan, a Chinese announcer sparked controversy by making remarks implying that "earthquakes are retribution." On the 3rd, local Chinese media such as the Pengpai newspaper reported that Xiao Qinghao, an announcer affiliated with Hainan Radio and TV in China, was suspended for making inappropriate comments on his personal social networking service (SNS) regarding the earthquake in Japan. Xiao posted on his SNS account the previous day, saying, "Is this Bao Ying (報應·retribution) coming? A magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Japan."

Controversy over Xiao Chenghao's remark on Japan earthquake as 'karma'.
[Photo by Baidu]

He further linked the earthquake to the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, stating that "the Noto Peninsula earthquake is Japan's karmic retribution." Local media also reported that he made strong remarks such as, "A major earthquake struck Japan on the first day of 2024. The entire year of 2024 will be overshadowed by dark clouds over Japan."

As the controversy spread on SNS, Hainan Radio and TV launched an investigation into Xiao's remarks and imposed a suspension from duty. Even within China, public opinion has turned critical of his comments. Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times (GT), criticized Xiao via his personal SNS account, stating, "I support Hainan Radio and TV's (suspension) decision," and added, "Xiao's post damaged the image of the Hainan Broadcasting and Television Bureau and deserves appropriate punishment."

Hunan Province's state-run media Hongwang (紅網) pointed out, "Seismic activity is a frequently occurring natural phenomenon, and linking the Japanese earthquake to retribution is absurd," emphasizing the need for "rational patriotism." It also stressed, "While it is true that there are grievances and dissatisfaction regarding the crimes Japan committed during its invasion of China and the discharge of nuclear contaminated water, it is unacceptable to mock natural disasters in other countries as a way to vent resentment." Furthermore, it added, "The path to avenging the humiliating history of invasion is to build a stronger nation."

On the other hand, some Chinese netizens defended Xiao, saying "he is not wrong," and some media appeared to sympathize with his stance. State-run Shangguan News and economic media Dongfang Caifu noted, "Although there is much criticism that Xiao Qinghao's remarks were wrong, it is important to pay attention to the many netizens who support his comments," reporting that "a considerable number of netizens view the earthquake following the ocean discharge of nuclear contaminated water as 'Tiandao Lunhui (天道輪廻·the cyclical law of nature) and bad retribution (報應不爽).'"

Meanwhile, Japan's Kyodo News introduced posts on Chinese SNS that appeared to express joy over the Noto Peninsula earthquake and the Haneda Airport fire, reporting that "it seems to be rooted in deteriorating anti-Japanese sentiment." Earlier, on the 1st, a magnitude 7.6 strong earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, central Honshu, Japan, with a provisional tally of over 62 deaths and more than 57,000 evacuees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.