Japan has objected to China’s decision to warn its citizens against travelling to Japan, as the dispute over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan continues to escalate.
The protest was lodged on Saturday, according to Japan’s Kyodo News Service.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara urged China to take “appropriate measures.” He also stressed that communication between the two countries is essential, especially because of the differences in their positions.
China issued the advisory on Friday. It asked its citizens to avoid travelling to Japan for now, citing previous attacks on Chinese nationals in Japan. It also referred to what it called Takaichi’s “erroneous remarks” on Taiwan, saying they had harmed the atmosphere needed for China-Japan exchanges.
Notices posted on the website of China’s embassy in Tokyo showed that Beijing has issued several warnings in the past year, advising its nationals to take precautions. However, the latest advisory appeared stronger than earlier ones. Following the announcement, some Chinese airlines offered no-penalty refunds for tickets already purchased for travel to Japan.
Japan is a major destination for Chinese tourists, offering significant economic benefits. At the same time, tourism has also triggered anti-China and anti-foreigner sentiments among certain groups in Japan. It remains unclear how the advisory will affect travel plans.
The disagreement reflects the fragile state of Japan-China relations under Takaichi, who supports strengthening Japan’s military in response to perceived threats from Beijing. Takaichi became prime minister last month.
In parliament, Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be “an existential threat” to Japan and might require Japan’s military to use force. China responded strongly. Last weekend, the Chinese consul general in Osaka posted online that “we have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us.” The post was later taken down, but Japan protested strongly. The exchange between both sides continued through the week.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has carried out several military drills around the island in recent years. Neither Japan nor the United States maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Yet the U.S. remains the island’s main defence supplier and opposes any attempt to resolve the China-Taiwan dispute by force.
Japan is also a key U.S. military ally and hosts American troops at several bases, including a major naval base located south of Tokyo.