Chinese travelers cancel 500,000 flights amid Japan tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Guardian
Today 12:57

Hundreds of thousands of flights from China to Japan have been cancelled as tensions rise over PM Takaichi's Taiwan statements.

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The plane carrying Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrives at Stansted Airport, England, Saturday, June 22, 2024, ahead of a state visit. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

An estimated 500,000 flights from China to Japan were cancelled in mid-November, following a diplomatic standoff sparked by remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a possible Japanese intervention if China were to take military steps against Taiwan.

The cancellations followed reports that visa processing and cultural exchanges were being halted, reflecting rising China-Japan tensions. In response to mounting pressure from Japanese business leaders, Tokyo sent a senior diplomat to Beijing in a bid to ease the escalating situation.

At least seven Chinese airlines, including state carriers, offered free cancellations to travelers with existing bookings to Japan.

Travel analyst Hanming Li told The Guardian that flight data showed approximately half a million departures to Japan were withdrawn between November 15 and 17.

Airlines and agencies respond to growing backlash

Chinese outlet Jimu News reported that Sichuan Airlines had suspended all flights between Chengdu and Sapporo from January through late March, while Spring Airlines cancelled several routes to Japan. Both carriers cited “company planning reasons.”

Li described the wave of cancellations as the most significant since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is not a huge loss for airlines because Sino-Japan market is small when compared to the whole domestic and international market,” Li told The Guardian.

Meanwhile, one travel agency operator said individual visa applications for Chinese travelers to Japan had been suspended. Additional reports noted cancellations of some local-level cultural exchange events between the two countries.

Economic and cultural ties hit by China-Japan tensions

China, the second-largest source of tourists to Japan, also accounts for the largest share of Japan’s international students, with about 120,000 Chinese nationals studying in the country last year.

Shares in Japanese travel and retail companies fell in response to the worsening diplomatic climate.

The fallout has extended to film and entertainment. At least two Japanese films had their Chinese releases postponed indefinitely. Box office figures for Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle also reportedly dropped, with Chinese state media attributing the decline to “strong dissatisfaction from Chinese audiences” with Takaichi.

Tokyo dispatches envoy, business groups urge de-escalation

In response to growing pressure, Japanese Foreign Ministry official Masaaki Kanai was dispatched to Beijing on Monday, where he was expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Liu Jinsong.

Leading Japanese business figures also met with Takaichi, urging her to de-escalate the standoff.

“Political stability is a prerequisite for economic exchange,” Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chair of Keidanren, Japan’s largest business federation, told reporters.

Takaichi defends Taiwan stance despite Chinese retraction demand

Despite Beijing’s demand for a retraction, Takaichi stood by her statement that Japan could consider involvement if China attacked Taiwan. Tokyo clarified that its official policy toward Taiwan remained unchanged.

Takaichi previously argued that such a scenario could constitute an existential threat to Japan, thus justifying a self-defense response under Japan’s postwar constitution, which prohibits the use of force to resolve international disputes.

Beijing views the prospect of Japanese involvement in a Taiwan conflict as highly provocative. While the US is Taiwan’s primary security backer, it has a policy of ambiguity over whether it would intervene militarily. However, the US-Japan security treaty could trigger direct involvement if Japanese territory were affected.

Safety warnings issued as anti-Japan sentiment grows

Chinese media gave the dispute extensive coverage across Chinese, Japanese, and English-language platforms, fueling rising nationalist sentiment online. In turn, Japanese authorities issued safety advisories for citizens living in or traveling to China.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said precautionary advice, including avoiding crowds, was based on rising anti-Japanese rhetoric in Chinese media.

“We have made judgments based on comprehensive consideration of the security situation in the country or region, as well as its political and social conditions,” Kihara said.

The Japanese Embassy in Beijing also advised its citizens to avoid traveling alone and to exercise additional caution, particularly when accompanied by children.