Chinese travelers have canceled an estimated 500,000 flight tickets to Japan following a diplomatic dispute sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. The cancellations, which occurred between November 15 and 17, represent the largest mass cancellation since the early days of the Covid pandemic, according to aviation analyst Hanming Li.
At least seven Chinese airlines, including three state carriers, have offered free cancellations for flights to Japan. Sichuan Airlines canceled all flights between Chengdu and Sapporo from January to late March, while budget carrier Spring Airlines canceled multiple Japan flights, both citing company planning reasons. The move comes after Takaichi suggested Japan could become militarily involved if China attempted to invade Taiwan, prompting fury from Beijing.
Beijing issued warnings against Chinese travelers and students going to Japan, and reports indicate that some travel agencies have stopped processing individual visa applications for Japan. Local-level Japan-China cultural events have also been canceled, and the release of an annual Japan-China survey was postponed at Beijing's request. The survey's Chinese polling partner stated that the results, collected before the dispute, 'do not represent the current state of China-Japan relations.'
Film distributors have postponed the screening of at least two Japanese films in China indefinitely. State media claimed that box office sales for the Japanese film 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' have slumped due to 'strong dissatisfaction from Chinese audiences' with Takaichi. Shares in Japanese retail and travel companies fell on Monday in response to the measures.
Japan has sent senior diplomat Masaaki Kanai to Beijing to meet Chinese counterpart Liu Jinsong in an attempt to calm tensions. Japanese business groups, including Keidanren, urged Takaichi to de-escalate, warning that political stability is essential for economic exchange. Takaichi has refused to withdraw her remarks, though the Japanese government maintains its policy on Taiwan is unchanged.
