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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faced widespread online criticism for her recent social media post praising Japan's shodo calligraphy without acknowledging its Chinese origins. The UNESCO released its annual list of nominees for inclusion on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which includes Japan's shodo calligraphy among its 59 nominations.

Takaichi expressed her delight that shodo "has been recognized as worthy of being passed down to future generations as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage" by writing about the "precious Japanese cultural practice that expresses characters through traditional brush techniques and methods using tools such as brushes, ink, inkstones and paper."

However, her post, which did not mention the tradition's Chinese roots, sparked criticism from some social media users. One user responded, "The brush, ink, inkstone and paper all originated in China. I suggest you study history more," while another commented, "Trying to register a culture derived from China as Japanese heritage without any shame whatsoever ... whatever, I'm done."

Japan had no writing system of its own before Chinese characters were introduced from China around the 4th and 5th centuries, according to Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. Exchanges between the two countries continued over subsequent centuries, with Japan sending envoys to China to study various aspects of Chinese culture. Japanese calligraphy eventually developed its own local characteristics by the 10th century, with Japanese calligraphers contributing to the establishment of Japan's unique style.

The tradition was registered as an intangible cultural property in Japan in 2021, and Takaichi's call for its nomination to UNESCO's list was made in 2023.