With China warning their citizens against travel to Japan, we can see the beginning of a new era of Taiwan-related China-Japan bilateral tensions. China continues to cite higher than average diplomatic tensions between the two nations, particularly surrounding Taiwan, while Japan attempts to bolster their own diplomatic. Japan Travel Advisories: Japan has labeled these travel restrictions as “unacceptable” and has put forward diplomatic measures geared towards lowering the tensions surrounding these travel restrictions and lowering travel advisories to Japan from China. Below is a travel advisory issued by the Japan Transport Ministry concerning travel between China and Japan.
What is the Issue Between China and Japan?
The current situation stems from a multitude of problems due to Japan’s new leadership position and longstanding geopolitical frictions. The main causes of the current situation include the following:
- Taiwan’s Intervention Remarks: The statements made by the new Prime Minister of Japan on possible military aid to Taiwan if a Chinese invasion occurs has angered Beijing and has accused the Japanese of meddling.
- Historic Events: Recent documented assaults from Japan against Chinese nationals have contributed to the safety concerns because the Japanese have been attacked for being anti-China.
- Military Posturing: The Chinese coast guard has issued statements on patrols around the disputed islands while claiming to have information regarding serious safety risks which has become the larger context of the information.
These events come on the heels of a long overdue improvement in the relations between the countries and the tourism sector which has sampled pre-2020 tourism numbers. The tourism industry has been operating at 80 percent of pre-2020 volume.
Details of China's Travel Warning for Japan
As of November 15, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Office of Travel Guidance, issued Nova Level 4 (in the full stop travel advisory) for all non-essential travel to Japan and specified travel warning for Chinese nationals, students and migrants already in Japan. This is comprehensive with no exemptions for major travel destinations, most notably Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Reasons Given:
- Potential anti-Chinese Violence with rising Nationalism
- Risks affiliated with US-Japan Military Alliance which may lead Japan into conflict over Taiwan (i.e., bombing of Military Bases)
- Overall negative growth of relations, bilateral relations, economic sanctions and protests.
Duration: In Definately with no additional updates before the next review. Due to no travel to Japan, Air China and China Eastern are providing full refunds and no additional fees for travel changes, including free additional payments, for travel to Japan until end of December 2025.
Additional measures: Hong Kong and Macau authorities have issued the same warning conforming to Beijing’s position.
This is the first such advisory of this kind since the 2012 Adawayo Islands (Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands) This is a warning of a new trend.
Japan's Official Response to the Advisory
Japan has rejected any warning as politically motivated, claiming Japan is safe for foreign tourists. Japan’s responses include the following:
- Diplomatic Efforts: Japan sent a senior envoy to Beijing to “calm down the tensions” and sought to explain his country’s position on Taiwan for the first time on November 17, 2025.
- Cabinet Announcement: Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara called the warning “unacceptable” and demanded that Beijing withdraw the warning. He made it clear that there are no corresponding threats to the safety of Japanese travelers in China.
- No Counter Warning: In contrast to Beijing’s warning, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) continues to maintain a Level 1 (normal precaution) advisory for China, as it has since November 17, 2025. Japan’s focus continues to be on routine matters as dealt with in the annual reports: natural disasters, petty crime, etc.
- Economic Affirmation: Japan’s officials continue to proclaim that Japan is open to foreign tourists and that Japan is actively trying to market to tourists from other countries.
Japan’s travel companies, particularly JAL and the duty-free shops, lost as much as 15% in stock value on the 16th due to the warning. This illustrates the negative financial impact the warning has on Japan.
Potential Impacts on China-Japan Tourism and Travel Industry
In China, officials have warned about the risk of deterring the ¥1.5 trillion ($10 billion) tourism transaction, Chinese tourists account for 30% of Japan’s inbound spending. Expected impact includes:
- Visitor Estimation: Expected 50-70% decline/drop of Chinese tourists in Q4 2026 at best, lost recovery from relaxed visa policies.
- Worst affected:
- Cancelled Flights: 20% of Japan’s China routes could be grounded.
- Hospitality: 25% drop in urban hotels.
- Retail: Chinese luxury electronics buyers gone, 40% drop in sales.
- Wider Effect: With the decline of business travel, expect tech, auto, and tourism supply chains to be tremendously affected.
Recovery anticipates immediate action, 2026’s cherry blossom season will likely be the recovery benchmark.
Traveler Recommendations Amid the China-Japan Safety Update
If you have any case already made plans or have plans in the future, be extra careful and make plans in advance. Advice can be tailored based on nationality these bullet points affect.
Chinese Travelling to Japan
- Avoid picking any new non-urgent travel plans and watch if there are any new search alerts every day.
- If already in Japan, please do not visit rallies or large gatherings. Make sure guardianship plans are made and have plans to evacuate if necessary.
- Insurance – Better to buy plans that have protection for the geo-political circumstance and can evacuate for medical emergencies.
Japanese Travelling to China
- If you are travelling to China, please carry on with travel plans, and do so with the same normal care. There are no risks that are elevated.
- Make sure you have the MOFA apps to remain updated, and try not to speak about sensitive issues to someone like Taiwan in public.
- Health prep – Make sure you have received vaccinations and you have ordered for old COVID services. These are necessary things to have as many protocols have relaxed, and it seems as if there are no restrictions.
Third Country Travellers
- Make sure you are seeing if there are any new flight or other travel plans that could be closed and make sure you are seeing about other news that could affect you to travel.
- Make sure to have a travel app like TripIt so you can be alert while traveling and be alerted in your travels. Make sure you plan other places to travel to other than the main. There are some places that can be very crowded.
A few more things to add on. Please consider registering in STEP or other similar services. Make sure to take multiple ways to pay, with some cash included. It is helpful to download non-internet maps.
Is It Safe to Be in Japan Right Now?
As of November 17, 2025, Japan is still very safe for almost all travelers, including Malaysia travelers. Regarding Japan’s relations with China, there have been no travel advisory changes. Japan is a safe destination with low violent crime rates and a high police presence. No incidents of protest targeting foreigners have been reported at popular tourist sites in Japan. The only group at high risk is Chinese passport holders due to a Chinese government travel advisory, and there have been some isolated verbal attacks that relate, in part, to the Taiwan issue. For everyone else, including travelers from Malaysia, Japan remains a safe destination. Make sure to read about: Malaysia Passport Ranking 2025
Official Sources and Further Reading
Stay updated through verified channels to navigate this fluid situation:
- Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism: mct.gov.cn – For outbound advisories.
- Chinese Embassy in Tokyo: jp.china-embassy.gov.cn – Direct safety bulletins.
- Japan MOFA: mofa.go.jp – Inbound travel info and statements.
- Global Advisors: U.S. State Department rates both countries at Level 1-2; UK FCDO echoes minimal concerns.
This China-Japan travel warning underscores how geopolitics can swiftly upend wanderlust. As envoys convene, optimism lingers for a thaw— but for now, prudence prevails.
