The Chinese government is directing travel agencies to cut group tours to Japan as tensions over Taiwan persist between the two nations. One agency has been ordered to reduce tours to about 60% of previous levels, while another has been urged to halt all sales. The action aims to encourage Chinese citizens to heed Beijing's advisory against visiting Japan.
The Chinese government has instructed domestic travel agencies to sharply reduce group tours to Japan amid escalating tensions over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. Sources indicate that one agency was directed to cut the frequency of such tours to roughly 60% of prior levels, while another was pressed to suspend all bookings entirely.
This step follows a November 14 notice from Xi Jinping's administration urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, with directives to agencies issued shortly thereafter. A major state-owned agency was ordered to cease all group tour operations to Japan; it halted sales immediately, but officials inspected a branch to verify compliance and warned of penalties for non-adherence.
According to Chinese media reports, 2,195 flights to Japan scheduled for next month—representing 40.4% of all such routes—face cancellation. An official at an agency still offering group tours noted, "We do not recommend visits to the country since flights may be canceled."
Takaichi's remarks, made during parliamentary discussions on a potential Taiwan emergency, have heightened friction between Tokyo and Beijing. Such informal pressures could significantly impact tourism exchanges between the two countries.