China recently issued a security warning to its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday, due to ongoing diplomatic tensions.
This all stems from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statement in November that China’s attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Japan.
China responded with export restrictions, flight cancellations, and a military warning, stressing that its citizens face “serious security threats in Japan, including the risk of crime and earthquakes.”
As a result, the number of Chinese tourists to Japan fell 45% in December, although the overall number of tourists to Japan remained at a record high.
Meanwhile, China has been promoting tourism to South Korea, taking advantage of its visa-free policy and growing economic ties.
As a result, the number of tourists between the two countries has increased, reflecting China’s efforts to shift attention from tensions with Japan to more positive regional cooperation.
Tensions with Japan remain high, but China appears to have successfully shifted its tourist and economic focus to its friendlier neighbor, South Korea.
