Beijing: Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan have flared after the Japanese leader’s stance on the Taiwan issue has angered many Chinese people, sending shockwaves through Japan’s entertainment and tourism sectors. Chinese film distribution companies have recently decided to shut down the release of at least two Japanese films: “Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Hot and Spicy! Dancer of Kasukabe” and “Cells at Work!” Meanwhile, the release of the blockbuster anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” has been postponed after sales plummeted due to the backlash.
According to Thai News Agency, the shock has spread to the tourism industry, with leading Chinese tour operators announcing an indefinite suspension of tours to Japan and visa applications, further denting tourism in Japan. Meanwhile, several hotels in Tokyo and Osaka have experienced a surge in booking cancellations after the Chinese government issued travel warnings and confirmed that the Chinese Prime Minister will not meet with the Japanese leader during the G20 summit.
Despite the tense situation, some Chinese continue to travel, with images of passengers queuing at Beijing’s airport continuing to emerge. Japanese government data indicates that between January and September 2025, Japan received 31.65 million foreign tourists, of which more than 7.49 million were Chinese, a 42.7% increase, generating over 590 billion yen in revenue. This reinforces China’s position as Japan’s largest tourism market, despite fragile relations.