China has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising them to steer clear of Japan, as diplomatic strains intensify following remarks by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a possible military stance over Taiwan. This escalation casts a shadow over the longstanding popularity of Japan as a destination for Chinese tourists.
The Japanese foreign ministry formally protested Beijing’s travel advisory on Saturday, underscoring growing friction between the two nations. The dispute was triggered after Takaichi addressed the Japanese parliament on November 7, suggesting that military intervention could be considered if China were to use force against Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing claims as its own.
Beijing denounced Takaichi’s comments as inflammatory and summoned Japan’s ambassador in response. Following this, Tokyo called in China’s ambassador after an “inappropriate” social media post by a Chinese consul general in Osaka, which appeared to contain a threat directed at Takaichi, was deleted.
Late Friday, China’s embassy in Japan issued a notice on WeChat, warning travelers about potential risks. “Recently, Japanese leaders have made blatantly provocative remarks regarding Taiwan, severely damaging the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges,” the statement read. The embassy further asserted that the current situation presents significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan.
The sequence of diplomatic protests and mounting rhetoric has further strained ties between Beijing and Tokyo, raising concerns for tourism and broader regional stability.
