Overview
- An estimated 500,000 Japan-bound tickets held by travelers in China were canceled between Nov. 15 and 17 after official advice to avoid trips.
- At least seven Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern and China Southern, are offering full refunds or free changes for Japan routes through Dec. 31.
- Independent analyst Li Hanming reported cancellation rates peaking at 82% on Sunday and 76% on Monday, describing the wave as the largest since early 2020.
- Spillover effects include pauses at some agencies in processing visas, cancellations of local exchange events and postponed releases of Japanese films with reported box-office declines.
- Japan sent senior diplomat Masaaki Kanai to meet Liu Jinsong as travel and retail stocks fell, business leaders urged restraint, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declined to retract her Taiwan remarks, Japan issued safety guidance for citizens in China, and PLA Daily warned of severe consequences.