Japan protests China’s travel warning after Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan

Japan has formally objected to China’s latest travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid visiting Japan, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Saturday. The warning came after comments by Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, about Taiwan.

According to AP, Tokyo lodged a diplomatic protest. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara called on Beijing to take “appropriate measures,” as reported by Kyodo News.

China issued the advisory on Friday, telling its citizens not to travel to Japan “in the near future.” It cited earlier incidents involving Chinese nationals and accused Takaichi of making “erroneous remarks” about Taiwan that had “damaged the atmosphere” for bilateral exchanges.

Kihara stressed that, despite differences, “multilayered communication” between the two governments remained essential, Kyodo said.

China has issued several cautionary notices for travellers heading to Japan over the past year, but AP noted that the latest warning appeared noticeably tougher, including in statements posted by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

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Japan remains a key destination for Chinese tourists, an important source of revenue for the travel industry. After the advisory, multiple Chinese airlines offered penalty-free refunds for flights to Japan.

The dispute underscores rising tensions as Takaichi begins her tenure. She has pushed for a stronger Japanese military in response to China’s expanding regional activity.

Takaichi, who took office last month, told parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be “an existential threat” to Japan and might require Japan’s military to use force. China reacted sharply, including through a social media post by its consul general in Osaka, who wrote that China had “no choice but to cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us.” The post was later removed, AP reported.

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China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has increased military pressure around the island. Japan and the United States do not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but the US is its main defence supplier and opposes any attempt at reunification by force. Japan, a close US ally, hosts several American military bases, including a major naval installation south of Tokyo.