Sanae Takaichi, the new Japanese Prime Minister, stated, more or less explicitly, that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would provoke a military response from Japan. This was enough to immediately halt the influx of Chinese tourists to her country, even in the absence of a formal ban, which, in practice, amounts to the same thing.
Chinese travel agencies and airlines suspended their trips in response to the Japanese decision.
On Monday, the Japanese Prime Minister was attempting to ease tensions by trying to clarify her remarks.
The press in the Asian giant China has made this a very serious issue and reports how travel agencies have chosen to suspend bookings due to citizens’ concerns.
The situation is very complex: while Chinese tourists are halting their trips to Japan, they continue to travel to Taiwan as usual, with countless airlines operating these routes.
Japan, meanwhile, is overwhelmed with tourists; the impact of this withdrawal will therefore be less significant than in the past, even though the Chinese presence in the country is considerable given the vastness of the Chinese market.
In 2024, Chinese tourists represented 21% of all visitors to the country.
Some Chinese travel agencies are maintaining their programs, awaiting clearer directives from their government.
In any case, it’s wishful thinking to believe that if Beijing orders a travel ban, everyone will continue to organize trips.
Airline tickets are still being sold as usual, but airlines have implemented an expedited refund process: those who do not wish to travel are refunded instantly.
The main Chinese airlines are state-owned enterprises.
Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, the three state-owned carriers, along with private airlines Hainan, Xiamen, Spring, and Sichuan Airlines, have also announced their new cancellation policies.
The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently issued a notice calling for a reduction in travel.
Financial experts estimate that Japan could lose 0.36% of its GDP due to the boycott.