How China Is Stoking Fear About Travel to Japan

NYT Homepage

by Javier C. Hernández

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

China is employing a strategic campaign of disinformation and exaggeration to discourage Chinese tourists from visiting Japan, as a form of retaliation for Tokyo's support of Taiwan. State media and government statements have been highlighting alleged dangers such as earthquakes, crime, traffic accidents, and bear attacks in Japan, painting the country as an unsafe destination. This effort seems to be working: recent data shows a sharp decline in Chinese arrivals, with January 2024 seeing a 61% drop compared to the previous year. The Lunar New Year period, traditionally a peak travel time for Chinese tourists, has seen a noticeable absence of visitors in Japan's major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Business owners in these areas report significant drops in客流量 (customer traffic), particularly in shopping districts, restaurants, temples, and ski resorts that typically thrive during this season. This campaign reflects China's broader efforts to undermine Japan's reputation as a safe and desirable travel destination. The Chinese government appears to be using tourism as a tool to exert political pressure, aiming to reduce Japan's economic benefits tied to Chinese visitors. While the timing of the Lunar New Year in 2024 shifted compared to previous years, the steep decline in arrivals suggests that Beijing's strategy is having an impact. The situation highlights the growing diplomatic tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan, with Beijing considering it a core national interest issue. By discouraging travel to Japan, China aims to reduce Tokyo's influence and economic gains tied to Chinese tourism. Meanwhile, this move raises questions about the long-term health of Sino-Japanese relations and the broader implications for regional stability. This matters because it underscores the delicate balance of power dynamics in East Asia, where even seemingly minor issues like tourism can be leveraged as tools of state policy. For readers interested in international relations and economic trends, this story reveals how political tensions can directly affect industries like travel and tourism, with potentially far-reaching consequences for both countries' economies and diplomatic ties.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/20/2026