Japan Issues Heightened Safety Alert for Nationals in China as Diplomatic Tensions Over Taiwan Deepen

Japan has issued a heightened security advisory for its citizens living in or travelling to China, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid large gatherings as a diplomatic confrontation between both countries intensifies over remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan.

The advisory, published on Monday on the website of the Japanese embassy in Beijing, cautioned nationals to be alert to their surroundings and steer clear of areas known to attract large crowds or locations commonly frequented by Japanese residents. The embassy also advised avoiding confrontations and exercising sensitivity in communication with locals.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday that the alert was issued after a “comprehensive assessment” of current political and security conditions in China, alongside rising anti-Japan sentiment linked to ongoing tensions.

Row Stems From Takaichi’s Taiwan Comments

The diplomatic fallout began after Prime Minister Takaichi suggested that Japan could intervene militarily should China launch an attack on Taiwan. Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force, reacted sharply, calling her comments provocative and demanding an official retraction.

China summoned the Japanese ambassador last Friday to lodge a formal protest. The situation escalated further when the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, posted a threatening message on X (formerly Twitter) referencing Takaichi. The post was later deleted, and Japan summoned the Chinese ambassador in response.

Masaaki Kanai, Japan’s top foreign ministry official for Asia-Pacific affairs, arrived in Beijing on Monday for talks aimed at easing tensions. He was seen at the Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday, with reports indicating a planned meeting with his Chinese counterpart Liu Jinsong.

Cultural and Economic Fallout Expands

The diplomatic rift is now affecting cultural exchanges and economic activity. China Film News, a state-linked publication, announced that the release dates for two Japanese animated films — Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! — would be postponed. The films had been scheduled for release on December 6 and November 22, respectively.

The publication said the political climate could influence how Chinese audiences receive Japanese media, adding that the controversy surrounding Takaichi’s remarks would “inevitably affect” perceptions of Japanese films.

On the economic front, Tokyo’s stock market suffered a sharp slump on Tuesday, dropping more than three percent as investors reacted to the deteriorating China–Japan relationship. Tourism and retail stocks were hit particularly hard after China advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, one of their most popular destinations.

Aviation analyst Li Hanming told AFP that approximately 500,000 flight bookings from China to Japan have been cancelled since November 15, a significant setback for Japan’s tourism sector. China remains Japan’s largest source of foreign visitors, with nearly 7.5 million arrivals recorded in the first nine months of 2025.

Heightened Security Advisory for Japanese Citizens

In its advisory, the Japanese embassy urged citizens to remain discreet, respect local customs, and promptly distance themselves from any individuals or groups that appear suspicious. The warning reflects growing concerns that rising diplomatic hostility could trigger social tensions on the ground.

Prime Minister Takaichi, who assumed office last month, has long been critical of China’s military ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region. In remarks to parliament on November 7, she said that an armed conflict involving Taiwan could constitute an “existential threat” to Japan — a scenario under which Japan’s self-imposed security restrictions would allow military action.

As both governments engage in diplomatic manoeuvres to manage the crisis, the fallout continues to ripple across politics, business, culture and travel, underscoring the depth of the rift between Asia’s two biggest economies.