Japan–China Tensions Escalate With Tokyo Security Alert and Over 200 Flight Cancellations

Overview

• Japan’s embassy in China urged its nationals to be extremely alert, avoid crowds and steer clear of suspicious individuals, citing a deteriorating security climate.
• China advised citizens to avoid travel to Japan as carriers confirmed special refund and rebooking measures after roughly 202 China–Japan flights were canceled.
• Senior Japanese diplomat Masaaki Kanai held talks in Beijing with counterpart Liu Jinsong, where China lodged a vehement protest over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks.
• Japan mobilized fighter jets after detecting a suspected Chinese drone between Yonaguni and Taiwan, and Tokyo reported Chinese coast guard ships lingering near the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.
• Market fallout intensified as the Nikkei 225 fell more than 3% and tourism‑linked shares slid, with Shiseido down 11.4%, Takashimaya off 6% and Fast Retailing nearly 6%, while no bilateral meeting is planned at the G20.