The Ameyoko shopping district in Tokyo, known for its vibrant atmosphere and numerous Chinese restaurants, faces tough challenges as business declines sharply. This decline started after Beijing announced a travel advisory telling Chinese tourists to not visit Japan. Just last month, tensions flared between China and Japan, raising the specter of these retaliations to a new high. As a result, Chinese-owned businesses in the region suffered devastating impacts.
Japanese restaurants in Ameyoko have historically been welcoming to roaming Chinese eateries. They utilize a “one dragon” approach to streamline services and boost foreign tourism. Ever since the travel advisory from Beijing, these businesses have seen a 70 percent drop in visitors. These formerly bustling eateries now find it hard to shift gears in a new world — one where their biggest customer base has disappeared.
The impact of this loss in business has been heavily felt by the owners of these establishments. Not surprisingly, many have raised alarms about their existence as their foot traffic disappears. The thriving restaurant community that previously prospered on the Chinese tourist boom has crumbled just as quickly. As a result, restaurant owners are scrambling to find and implement strategies that will help them survive in this new normal.
Beijing-Tokyo relations plunged to new lows last month, escalating tensions between both sides so much that necessitated the travel warning. This cultural shift has made the lasting effects become a double-edged sword on Ameyoko’s economy. Local Chinese businesses rely heavily on the presence of tourists from across the strait. The “one dragon” system, created to make travel and services for Chinese visitors smooth and easy, is now being put to the test.
In response to the situation, some restaurant owners are seeking alternative strategies to attract local customers or diversify their offerings. The uncertainty over matters of international relations and travel restrictions still hangs heavy over their work.
Ameyoko street market, once a busy place frequented by Chinese tourists, now looks toward a tumultuous existence. Chinese restaurant proprietors are left grappling with the implications of the Beijing travel advisory while navigating the complexities of a strained diplomatic landscape.