AI-generated videos depicting Emperor Hirohito as dog spark Japan-China row
AI-generated videos depicting the deceased Japanese Emperor Hirohito as a dog were posted on Chinese social media platforms in late August 2025, prompting diplomatic protests from Japan before China's September 3 military parade. The videos used AI animation to show the emperor barking and crawling with mockery of his 1945 meeting with General MacArthur, and China reportedly launched an investigation after Japanese government complaints.
What happened
AI-generated videos depicting the deceased Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor) as a dog were posted on Chinese social media platforms including Douyin (TikTok), Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Bilibili, WeChat, and Sina Weibo before September 3, 2025.
The videos, created using AI animation based on photographs of the young Showa Emperor, showed him barking and crawling on all fours with a subtitle reading 'General MacArthur training dog, precious footage,' referencing the emperor's 1945 meeting with General Douglas MacArthur.
Reported impact
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on August 26 that the content was inappropriate and expressed concern about negative impacts on Japan-China relations.
The Japanese Embassy in China and the Japanese government lodged diplomatic protests through official channels, requesting that China take measures to address the videos. The videos remained visible on Chinese social media platforms as of the report date.
Index analysis
Chinese media commentary noted that social media platforms in China operate under government regulation and control, suggesting the videos may have been tolerated or permitted by Chinese authorities.
The incident occurred shortly before China's planned September 3 military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the War of Resistance against Japan, a period marked by heightened anti-Japanese sentiment in Chinese public discourse.
Governance controls
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on August 26 that the matter was under investigation. Some videos were subsequently deleted from Chinese social media platforms, though others remained accessible.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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