China Renews Japan Travel Advisory Amid 'Deteriorating Security Environment' Ahead of Lunar New Year

Advisory Issued for Lunar New Year Travel

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 26, 2026, renewed its travel advisory, urging Chinese citizens to reconsider trips to Japan during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. The advisory, disseminated via consular social media channels and state broadcaster CCTV, cited a 'deteriorating security environment' in Japan.

The Ministry specifically highlighted a 'surge in crimes targeting Chinese citizens' and recent earthquakes in various regions of Japan as reasons for the heightened alert. Chinese nationals already in Japan have been advised to 'stay alert to crime and disaster warnings,' keep a low profile, register their itineraries, and retain evidence of bookings for potential insurance claims.

Escalating Diplomatic Tensions

This renewed advisory is part of a broader diplomatic crisis that has strained relations between Beijing and Tokyo since November 2025. The tensions were ignited by remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Japanese parliament. Takaichi suggested that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute an 'existential crisis for Japan' and potentially trigger a military response under the Legislation for Peace and Security.

China's government was 'infuriated' by these statements, responding with a series of retaliatory measures. These have included:

• Export curbs.
• Vitriolic state media commentaries.
• Warnings from China's defense ministry of a 'crushing' military defeat if Tokyo were to intervene over Taiwan.
• Restrictions on exports of dual-use items and rare earth materials to Japan.
• An anti-dumping probe into a key chipmaking material.

Impact on Travel and Economy

The diplomatic spat has already had a significant impact on travel between the two nations. Chinese visitor arrivals to Japan plummeted by 45% in December 2025, reaching approximately 330,000. Major Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have extended their free-of-charge change and cancellation policies for Japan-related flights until October 24, 2026. Flight cancellation rates for routes from mainland China to Japan reached 47.2% in January 2026.

Analysts predict that the ongoing diplomatic chill could result in a ¥120 billion hit to Japan's travel receipts in the first quarter alone. Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato stated that Japan would 'closely monitor the impact' of the advisory and emphasized the importance of promoting 'people-to-people exchanges and economic activities' between the two countries. Prime Minister Takaichi has maintained her stance, reaffirming Japan's position on China's 'One China' policy while asserting that China's characterization of her remarks is inconsistent with facts.