Japan has advised its citizens in China to heighten safety measures and refrain from visiting crowded locations, amid mounting diplomatic strains with Beijing following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
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.
The Japanese embassy in China released the advisory as a senior official from Japan’s foreign ministry arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for discussions with his Chinese counterpart, with the aim of easing the current tensions.
Over the weekend, China has urged its own citizens to avoid travel to Japan—a move that may significantly impact Japan’s economy. Chinese tourists account for close to 25% of total visitors, official statistics show. The warnings have spurred a sharp sell-off in Japanese tourism-related stocks.
Below is the statement from the Embassy of Japan in China, released in Japanese. Kaohoon International has used Gemini to translate them into English. The statement is as follows:
Security Measures in Light of Recent Local Reporting on Japan-China Relations
In light of recent local reports concerning Japan-China relations, we are reiterating the following security measures.
When going out, please pay close attention to your surroundings, such as the approach of suspicious individuals, and endeavor to secure your safety as much as possible, for instance, by acting in groups. Special precautions should be taken when you are accompanied by children. In particular, we ask that you pay attention to the following points:
- Respect local customs and be mindful of your speech, conduct, and attitude when interacting with local residents.
- Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid, as much as possible, crowded public squares or locations that are easily perceived as being frequently used by many Japanese nationals.
- If you see any individual or group that appears even slightly suspicious, do not approach them and promptly leave the area.
In the unlikely event that you are involved in an incident or accident, or if you feel uneasy, please contact or consult with us at the contact information below. We will respond even on embassy holidays and outside of business hours.
