Japanese Critic of the CCP Was Attacked in Taiwan. Why Beijing Is the Prime Suspect

Senior Taiwanese-Japanese media figure, former Beijing and Taipei bureau chief for Japan's *Sankei Shimbun*, and frequent critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Yaita Akio @Yaita_Akio, was attacked this morning in Taiwan by a Chinese national man after giving a speech. His lip was split from the impact, causing significant bleeding on the spot, and his front teeth were also loosened.

This was clearly a premeditated attack. The suspect had made considerable preparations. He waited in the hotel café for nearly two days for Yaita Akio. Once he confirmed the target, he immediately launched the assault and quickly left the scene. He even changed his clothes en route before heading straight to the airport to buy a ticket and prepare to flee the country.

Fortunately, after receiving the report, Taiwanese police acted swiftly and successfully arrested the suspect at the airport, preventing his escape.

The suspect is a 33-year-old man surnamed Liao from Hong Kong.

Yaita Akio later issued a statement, saying that Liao “acted calmly throughout the entire process with remarkably stable psychological composure, indicating that this was not an impulsive act but a well-prepared one.”

He also stated, “I believe this incident should not be viewed merely as a simple case of assault, as it may involve more serious dimensions. From the background of the event and the method of execution, it shares many similarities with violent attacks on Hong Kong individuals in Taiwan several years ago. Whether it is linked to the (CCP's) recently implemented National Unity and Progress Promotion Law is also worth thorough investigation and clarification by the relevant authorities. This includes whether it involves political suppression of freedom of speech in Taiwan and whether there was organized planning and execution.”

Taiwanese media figure Wang Hao (@UBHoFE7lzf2G9Xs) commented, “Facing the intrusion of the red mafia, Taiwan will not tolerate violent intimidation.”

Yaita Akio also said, “In the face of any form of violence and intimidation, I will not retreat or yield. I will continue to speak out for Taiwan’s freedom and democracy with a rational and firm attitude, and as always, promote friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan.”

I believe the black hand behind this incident must be the CCP. This is the latest insane case of the CCP’s transnational repression.

Yaita Akio’s speech today mainly focused on “Cross-Strait Relations and Indo-Pacific Security.” He has consistently strongly supported Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy, has long regarded Taiwan as “his own home,” was naturalized as a citizen of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 2024, and publicly expressed his desire to stay in Taiwan to defend its democratic freedoms. He criticizes the CCP’s threats against Taiwan, believing that “today’s Hong Kong, tomorrow’s Taiwan” is a real risk.

He also frequently criticizes the CCP’s authoritarian system, its military threats against Taiwan, united front work, and cross-border repression (such as the CCP's National Unity and Progress Promotion Law). He believes the CCP is trying to suppress Taiwan’s freedom of speech and sovereignty through various means, and therefore does not support “one country, two systems” or any form of political unification.

He actively promotes cooperation between Taiwan, Japan, and the United States, arguing that Taiwan’s security is directly related to Japan’s (and the Indo-Pacific’s) interests. He has invited pro-Taiwan Japanese politicians to speak in Taiwan and supports positions such as “a contingency in Taiwan is a contingency for Japan.”

In terms of Indo-Pacific security, he supports the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan jointly resisting the CCP, advocating that democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific should strengthen cooperation to counter CCP expansion. He believes the U.S. and Japan’s stance toward Taiwan has clearly shifted (becoming more supportive of Taiwan) and actively works to deepen friendly Taiwan-Japan relations.

He has repeatedly emphasized that the CCP is the primary threat, criticizing the CCP’s militarization in the Indo-Pacific, long-arm jurisdiction, and the expansion of authoritarian influence. He supports a hardline pro-Taiwan stance from Japanese prime ministers (such as Takaichi Sanae) and believes the CCP’s actions have instead stimulated Japanese public opinion to become more supportive of Taiwan.

Overall, drawing from his background as a Japanese media figure, combined with long-term observations of China’s internal affairs and his personal experiences as a reporter in Beijing for many years, he views the CCP’s system as the root cause of regional instability. Taiwan, as a beacon of democracy, must receive international support to maintain the status quo (or substantive independence).

Therefore, given his consistent pro-Taiwan, pro-democracy, and anti-CCP authoritarian stance, as well as his identity as a commentator who “knows China best yet genuinely loves Taiwan,” and particularly his recent criticism of the CCP’s National Unity and Progress Promotion Law, he is highly likely to be a target the CCP very much wants to strike and intimidate.

If we allow CCP thugs to brutally assault a media figure in a democratic country in broad daylight simply for expressing criticism of the CCP, where is international justice?

Let us all condemn the CCP’s shameless behavior!

7/6/2026