Tourists crowd the streets of colorful, neon Dotonbori, an iconic canal-side entertainment district in Osaka, Japan. This photo taken by Akitoshi Sugiura in the month of October 2025 depicts that vibrant hoped-for reality. Yet, as tourism continues to blossom in this cosmopolitan hub, tensions continue to escalate between Japan and China over angry summer protests leading to major airline policy developments.
On Sunday, November 16, 2025, all major Chinese state-owned airlines issued cancellation and rerouting waivers for flights to Japan. This decision is in direct response to increasing diplomatic tensions. The tensions come after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made uncharacteristically strong comments about the defense of Taiwan. The prime minister’s remarks drew a furious response from Beijing. In retaliation, the Chinese government voiced outrage and called on Chinese citizens to refrain from visiting Japan.
The diplomatic spat’s fallout is unfortunately overshadowing Japan’s unique, vibrant tourism industry itself. As travelers flock to Dotonbori and other attractions, the Chinese government’s travel advisory raises concerns about potential declines in visitor numbers from one of Japan’s largest tourist markets. Beijing’s warning underscores the deep suspicion—and continued tension—in Sino-Japanese relations.
The initial report regarding these developments was published at 01:41 JST on November 16, 2025. Updates on the situation were provided shortly after at 02:40 JST, highlighting the rapid pace of change surrounding this issue. The Nikkei has been a sharp observer of these developments and their implications for tourism and international diplomacy.