A sharp diplomatic dispute over Taiwan has triggered a significant slump in Chinese tourism to Japan, with visitor numbers almost halving in December. The downturn followed controversial remarks by Japan's Prime Minister about potential military involvement in a cross-strait conflict.
Tourist Numbers Plummet After Political Remarks
Official data from Japan's transport ministry revealed a stark decline last month. The number of tourists arriving from mainland China dropped by approximately 45% compared to December the previous year, falling to around 330,000. This downturn began in the latter part of last year, directly linked to comments made by Japan's Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi.
Takaichi, known for her hawkish conservative stance, suggested that a crisis in the Taiwan Strait could necessitate the deployment of Japan's Self-Defence Forces if the conflict threatened Japan's existence. These comments, made shortly after she met Chinese leader Xi Jinping and pledged stable relations, provoked a fierce reaction from Beijing.
Beijing's Response and Wider Fallout
China, which has never renounced the use of force to achieve what it calls the "reunification" of Taiwan, swiftly advised its citizens against travelling to Japan, citing safety concerns. The diplomatic chill extended beyond tourism:
- Beijing advised young people against studying in Japan.
- Numerous cultural exchanges were cancelled.
- The Chinese releases of several Japanese films were postponed indefinitely.
In response, Japan issued safety advisories to its roughly 100,000 citizens in China, urging caution. The tension poses a tangible risk to a vital sector of the Japanese economy. China has long been Japan's largest source of inbound tourists, with 7.5 million arrivals in the first nine months of 2025 alone, accounting for a quarter of all foreign visitors.
Economic Impact and Official Reaction
The financial impact is considerable. Chinese tourists are notably high-spending visitors; in the third quarter of last year, they spent a combined $3.7 billion in Japan. On average, each Chinese tourist spent 22% more than other international visitors in 2025.
Despite the slump from one key market, Japan's overall tourism sector remains robust. A record 42.7 million foreign visitors travelled to Japan in 2025, surpassing the previous record set in 2024. Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko downplayed the December figures, calling the annual total a "significant achievement."
"While the number of Chinese tourists in December decreased, we attracted a sufficient number of people from many other countries and regions to offset that," Kaneko stated. He added, "We also hope and want to make sure that Chinese visitors will return to us as soon as possible."
The backdrop to this diplomatic row is an intensifying regional security debate. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine and amid uncertainty over US commitment to Taiwan's defence, Japan has bolstered defences for its outlying islands near Taiwan and the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
