Osaka Chinese School Receives Bomb Threats Following Judo Controversy

The Osaka Chinese School, a Taiwan-affiliated institution in Naniwa Ward, Osaka, received multiple threatening emails on October 2, 2026, demanding the school be bombed.

School Seeks Security and Clearer Taiwan Identity

Following the receipt of the threats on October 2, school officials consulted with the Naniwa Police Station to request enhanced security in the surrounding area. The school’s board of directors and the Osaka Chinese Association—a local organization representing Taiwan-affiliated residents that supports the school’s operations—have discussed adding “Taiwan” to their respective names to clarify their identity. Stakeholders cited concerns that the school may have been targeted due to individuals mistakenly identifying the institution as a mainland Chinese school in the wake of the Asian Games incident.

Asian Games Judo Incident Triggers Public Backlash

The threats against the school coincided with intense online criticism regarding a match between Japan’s Rin Maeda and China’s Tang Jing. During the women’s 70kg quarterfinal, match officials determined that Tang bit Maeda’s left arm through her judogi for more than 20 seconds. The biting incident resulted in a clear, visible tooth mark on Maeda’s arm, which was verified by the referee panel upon the Japanese team’s appeal.

Tang was disqualified under International Judo Federation (IJF) rules, which prohibit actions deemed contrary to the spirit of judo or acts that threaten the safety of competitors. While Maeda ultimately progressed through the tournament to win the gold medal, the incident drew significant scrutiny on social media. Critics highlighted the conduct of the Chinese team, noting that Tang appeared dissatisfied with the disqualification and that team members gestured to suggest the contact was accidental. Tang did not provide comments to the press following the match.

Ongoing Safety Measures

The Osaka Chinese School continues to work with local law enforcement to monitor the situation. The school’s leadership maintains that the safety of students and staff remains their primary objective while they evaluate potential changes to their organizational branding.