On November 16, 2025, tourists hurried through the crowded streets of Dotonbori, a lively canal-side entertainment district nestled in Japan’s Osaka Prefecture. In spite of ever-worsening diplomatic relations between China and Japan, tourists from mainland China kept flooding the popular tourist destination. A shot of the energetic scene caught on Fujifilm G617 by Akitoshi Sugiura during October 2025, the irresistible charm of Dotonbori on full display.
This optimistic scene plays out against a backdrop of deteriorating relations. It focuses on an op-ed piece written by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. In reaction to such comments, Beijing has responded with ironic vehemence of its own, demanding that its citizens not visit Japan. This latest plea for moderation comes against the backdrop of a continued, blistering response from Chinese officials, poisoning U.S.-Chinese relations even more.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Chinese state-owned airlines are rapidly changing their travel policies due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. In fact, as a direct response to the ongoing diplomatic controversy, Japan Airlines for example are currently offering free cancellations for flights to Japan. This latest action is intended to signal more flexibility for travelers who might be rethinking their wait-and-see approach because of the current political climate.
This incident may have devastating effects for Japan’s booming tourism industry. It has just started rebounding from the lost ground caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and is already hit with new adversities. Beijing’s call has an immediate effect on Chinese tourists. It sends a strong signal that can help define for international travelers how they should interpret what is going on.
The initial report on this developing story surfaced at 01:41 JST on November 16, followed by an update just over an hour later at 02:40 JST. The venue for these reports was no less than Tokyo, underscoring the importance of Japan’s capital in these diplomatic matters.