Japan Protests China's Travel Advisory Following Prime Minister's Taiwan Remarks

Japan formally protested on Saturday following China's advisory urging its citizens to avoid travel to Japan, as tensions escalate over the Japanese Prime Minister's recent comments regarding Taiwan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara called on China to implement "appropriate measures" while emphasizing that communication remains essential despite governmental differences, according to Kyodo News Service.

The Chinese advisory, issued Friday, cited security concerns including alleged attacks against Chinese nationals in Japan and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's "erroneous remarks" about Taiwan, which Beijing claimed damaged the atmosphere for bilateral exchange.

While China has previously issued security advisories for Japan over the past year, this latest notice appears to more strongly discourage travel. Several Chinese airlines responded by offering penalty-free refunds for tickets to Japan following the announcement.

Japan has been a highly popular destination for Chinese tourists, providing significant economic benefits to the Japanese economy despite occasional anti-foreign sentiment. The potential impact of this advisory on Chinese tourism to Japan remains uncertain.

The diplomatic friction suggests that Japan-China relations, already under strain, may deteriorate further under Takaichi's leadership. The new Prime Minister supports military enhancement to counter perceived threats from Beijing, particularly regarding contested territories in the western Pacific.

Takaichi, who assumed office last month, stated in parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could represent "an existential threat" to Japan that might necessitate military action.

This comment prompted strong reactions from China, including a provocative social media post from its Osaka consul general suggesting they would "cut off that dirty neck that has been lunged at us" – a statement later removed but not before triggering a formal Japanese protest.

China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a self-governing island, and has conducted military exercises in surrounding waters in recent years as a show of force.

While neither the United States nor Japan maintains official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the U.S. serves as Taiwan's primary defense equipment supplier and opposes any forceful resolution to China-Taiwan tensions.

Japan, a key U.S. military ally, hosts several American bases including a significant Navy installation south of Tokyo.