Japan tells China it ‘can’t tolerate mass arrests’ under Hong Kong’s national security law

Tokyo says it has ‘grave concerns’ at situation in Hong Kong, where it desires ‘democratic’ and stable growth

‘Unusually forceful’ statement is seen as both a warning to Beijing and as ‘returning a favour’ to the United States for its support in the East China Sea

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A protest against the national security law in Hong Kong on July 1, 2020, on the 23rd anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:00pm, 25 Feb 2021Updated: 7:00pm, 25 Feb 2021

The Japanese government has criticised China’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, saying in a written reply to a politician’s question in its parliament, the Diet, that it “cannot tolerate mass arrests”.

The government statement, issued on Wednesday, reiterated the importance of economic and personal ties between Japan and Hong Kong, adding that Tokyo had “grave concerns” at the situation in the city. In 2019, Japan was Hong Kong’s fourth largest trading partner with total trade between them that year reaching HK$373 billion.

The statement said Japan had communicated its position to Beijing and was working with allied countries on the issue.

The statement was issued in response to a formal request for the government to make its position on the situation in Hong Kong clear from Jin Matsubara, a former chairman of the National Public Safety Commission and presently a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the centre-left largest opposition party.

“Hong Kong is an extremely important partner for our country, with close economic and human relations, and it is our consistent position that Hong Kong’s democratic and stable growth is important,” the government statement said.

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