Beijing on Friday issued a striking travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan “in the near future,” citing deepening security risks and a sharp deterioration in relations between the two nations. The warning, issued jointly by China’s Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic missions in Japan, marks one of the most severe diplomatic escalations in years, and comes amid growing tensions sparked by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan.
According to the advisory, a string of violent incidents targeting Chinese nationals in Japan earlier this year has stoked concern in Beijing. The Foreign Ministry noted “multiple criminal offenses and incidents of attacks against Chinese nationals” in Japan, and warned that the security climate for Chinese citizens “had continued to deteriorate.”
But it’s not just street crime driving China’s alarm: Beijing also pointed to provocative political rhetoric from Tokyo. Takaichi’s recent statements suggesting that Japan could use its military if China launched force against Taiwan have enraged Chinese officials, who say such comments have “severely undermined the atmosphere for people-to-people exchanges.”
In its advisory, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged its citizens already in Japan to stay alert, closely monitor local security developments, and take steps to protect themselves. It also reminded travelers to have the contact information of local police and Chinese diplomatic missions at hand in case of emergencies.
The travel warning comes amid a broader diplomatic backlash: earlier this week, China summoned Japan’s ambassador in Beijing to lodge a protest over Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks. Tokyo in turn summoned China’s ambassador after an inflammatory message posted on social media by China’s consul general in Osaka — who reportedly called for “cutting that dirty neck,” apparently referencing Takaichi.
Beijing also pointed to a recent spike in human-wildlife incidents as part of the justification for its advisory. The Chinese embassy in Japan warned its citizens about a surge in bear attacks in rural Japan, noting that fatal bear incidents have reached record highs.
Analysts say the warning is not merely about safety; it is a political signal. By directly discouraging travel, China appears to be weaponizing people-to-people exchanges, using them as leverage in its broader confrontation over Taiwan and regional influence.
For Japan, the advisory represents a risky escalation. Although Tokyo has expressed regret over the insults from the Chinese consul general, it has defended Takaichi’s comments as hypothetical and consistent with Japan’s longstanding security posture.
Japanese officials are pushing back diplomatically, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasizing the need to maintain dialogue despite the deepening rift.
Meanwhile, Chinese airlines are offering free ticket changes or refunds for travel to Japan, reflecting the seriousness of Beijing’s advisory.
Observers warn that the advisory could have broader implications beyond tourism: it risks chilling business ties and cultural exchange, and could be a prelude to further retaliatory measures if the diplomatic feud continues to escalate.
