Japan's top government spokesman on Friday said the country is increasingly concerned over Hong Kong a day after its legislature approved a sweeping electoral overhaul ordered by China to ensure that only Beijing loyalists rule the city.
"We are increasingly and gravely concerned about the impact on the freedom of speech and media, which have served as the basis for the democratic and stable development that had benefited Hong Kong," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato at a news conference.
Kato added Japan will convey its thoughts and concerns to China while closely working with the international community.
The amendment bill approved by the Legislative Council, which is largely devoid of pro-democracy legislators, changes the methods of choosing Hong Kong's leader and legislators, with a new review committee set up to vet all candidates seeking public office.
The development in Hong Kong has already led the United States to denounce the Chinese government for continuing to undermine Hong Kong's democratic institutions.
Following the return of the former British colony to Chinese control in 1997, Beijing guaranteed Hong Kong a "high degree of autonomy" under the principle of "one country, two systems" while highlighting the concept of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong."
But following the 2019 anti-government protests amid the growing influence of pro-democracy forces in the territory, the central government under President Xi Jinping called for Hong Kong's executive, legislative and judicial branches to be made up only of "patriots" who do not oppose the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
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