China Urges Staff to Cancel Japan Trips Amid Rising Tensions

China has advised employees of state-owned companies to cancel trips to Japan amid growing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. The travel warning affects business trips, student exchanges, and tourism, reflecting ongoing diplomatic friction over Taiwan.

The situation escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Parliament on November 7 that any attack in the Taiwan Strait could be treated as a “survival-threatening situation,” giving her government the authority to deploy military forces. China strongly condemned the remarks, accusing Takaichi of interfering in its internal affairs and seeking a formal retraction. With no sign of a resolution, Beijing has continued to take precautionary measures.

Several employees at Chinese state-owned enterprises, who need company approval for overseas travel, have reported receiving instructions to postpone trips to Japan. One engineer from Wuhan, who had a planned visit to Osaka in late November, confirmed his company told him to cancel the trip despite prior approval. Posts on Chinese social media indicate that many others in the public sector have received similar instructions.

The travel advisory has also affected Chinese tourism. Several major travel agencies have halted Japan tour packages, and at least seven Chinese airlines are offering full refunds on Japan-bound flights through the end of the year. About 491,000 bookings were reportedly canceled, representing roughly 32% of total reservations to Japan, a country that usually attracts large numbers of Chinese tourists. Japan welcomed over 6.7 million Chinese visitors during the first eight months of 2025, up from 4.6 million the previous year.

The tensions are also affecting cultural exchanges. Several Japanese films and animated series slated for release in China, including Cells at Work! and Crayon Shinchan: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, have been postponed. Fans are concerned that popular titles like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle might also face delays or withdrawal, limiting access to Japanese pop culture.

The travel warning and cancellations highlight the broader diplomatic strain between China and Japan. While the measures primarily target state-owned enterprise employees and organized travel, they are sending ripples through the tourism, cultural, and business sectors. The advisory shows that Beijing is taking steps to assert caution amid ongoing tensions over Taiwan, while the impact on tourism and pop culture illustrates how political issues can affect everyday life and international exchanges.

In summary, the Chinese government’s advisory against traveling to Japan reflects rising geopolitical tensions, affecting business trips, tourism, and cultural events. The warning underscores the fragile state of China-Japan relations and the broad impact of political disputes on ordinary citizens.