Overview
- China’s foreign ministry warned that Chinese nationals face serious security threats in Japan, citing a surge in crimes targeting Chinese citizens and recent earthquakes.
- Major Chinese carriers including Air China, China Eastern and China Southern extended free change and cancellation policies for Japan flights through October 24.
- Chinese arrivals to Japan fell about 45% year on year in December to roughly 330,000, even as Japan’s overall visitor numbers hit a record high, according to officials.
- Beijing’s warning comes in the context of a diplomatic dispute triggered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November suggestion of potential military intervention over Taiwan, which she later tempered by reaffirming the One-China policy.
- State media highlighted growing two-way tourism with South Korea, with Beijing promoting a regional travel pivot as tensions with Tokyo persist.