Why This Topic Landed in Japan

Claims that Chinese-made products carry backdoors or spying functions are a recurring staple of Japanese message boards, so a concrete overseas report was received as confirmation of a long-held suspicion. A Norwegian security review ("Project Lion Cage") found that a NIO vehicle sent about 90% of its communication requests to servers in China even after the engine was switched off; the review did not establish what was in that traffic or demonstrate active surveillance. Around the same time, reports said China had moved a baton-and-shield humanoid police robot into a trial phase.

Both stories tapped existing anxieties. Japanese cities and public transport operators have begun adopting low-cost Chinese EVs and electric buses, which sharpened worries about data flowing abroad. The police robot was quickly mapped onto images of Tiananmen and the surveillance state, blending genuine concern with sci-fi dystopia.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Weary "no surprise, it's state policy" — The largest share of comments met the leak with resigned wariness, treating spying functions as nothing to be shocked by, often with a jab at anyone who would still buy Chinese EVs.
  • Risk to public and infrastructure use — A smaller group warned against cities and public transport adopting Chinese products for their low price while Western countries move to shut them out on security grounds.
  • Dread and jokes about the police robot — Fear of a machine that "does it instantly" where a human would hesitate mixed with cracks about runaway Vulcan fire and dubious practicality.
  • Counter-voices — A few pushed back that data optimization could be welcome, or that PCs and phones already do the same thing.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Norwegian probe into a Chinese EV's data transmission

A Norwegian review reported a Chinese-made EV sent roughly 90% of its communication traffic to servers in China even after the engine was off.

Sources: 2ch

Comments:

  • "These stories keep coming out, yet in Japan there's nothing but people weirdly hyping up (Chinese EVs). It's laughable."
  • "Only idiots buy Chinese EVs."
  • "If anything, people who buy Chinese already know the risks and buy anyway, so it's fine."
  • "Stuff that would've gotten you told to wear a tinfoil hat a while ago is actually happening now. Scary."
  • "Well, no surprise—it's state policy."
  • "What's the problem here? If they analyze driving data and optimize energy efficiency for me, that'd be welcome."
  • "PCs and smartphones are probably getting the same treatment."
  • "It's not just cars—it's a problem with Chinese-made products in general."
  • "Nice work, high-minded Norway."
  • "Sounds like in-car conversations are leaking too."
  • "This is a country that has planted backdoors and spy chips in all sorts of products before. Why act surprised now?"
  • "Still want to buy a Chinese-made car after this?"
  • "Wait, you thought there was no backdoor?"

China's trial deployment of police robots

A baton-and-shield humanoid police robot reportedly entered a trial phase in China.

産経ニュース
産経ニュース
@Sankei_news
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中国、治安維持にロボット　警棒や盾、試験運用段階　「ターミネーター」ほうふつ sankei.com/article/202609… 北京で8月に開かれた「世界ロボット大会」では、警棒や盾を装備した威圧感のある人型ロボットが登場。現在は試験運用の段階で、将来的には武装警察と共に警備やパトロールをすることを想定。

www.sankei.com中国、治安維持にロボット　警棒や盾、試験運用段階　「ターミネーター」ほうふつ中国で暴動対策など治安部門での活用を見据えた人型ロボットの開発が進んでいる。北京で8月に開かれた「世界ロボット大会」では、警棒や盾を装備した威圧感のある人型ロ…
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Sources: 2ch

Comments:

  • "So this is the future,"
  • "It'll go haywire and spray Vulcan cannon fire, I get it."
  • "The strength and durability of those ankles look worrying just watching it."
  • "A human might hesitate, but a robot will do it instantly."
  • "One-on-one with no ranged weapon I'm confident I'd win, but if dozens show up with guns, it's game over."
  • "Now even if a second Tiananmen happens, nobody has to feel bad and they can crack down with a clear conscience lol"
  • "Simply put, there's the how-do-you-power-it problem."
  • "For China it's more reassuring than humans—give them weapons and they won't revolt."
  • "Even if it kills off citizens, they'll probably wave it away as 'the robot malfunctioned.'"
  • "If it's specialized for security, the humanoid form seems pointless—what's the reason for making it humanoid?"
  • "You can tell it's premised on military conversion."
  • "A Terminator that only beats up civilians."
  • "They're really delivering a real-life dystopia lol"