Chinese Tourist Arrivals in Japan Plunge 50% Amid Worsening Bilateral Ties

The number of foreign tourists to Japan, particularly from China, has fallen by more than half following a deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries. Kyodo reported on Wednesday that tourist arrivals from China dropped 56.4 percent year-on-year to 2.06 million. Overall, foreign visitors to Japan fell 2.0 percent year-on-year to 21.1 million in the first half of 2026. While arrivals from South Korea, Taiwan and the United States increased during the half-year, total foreign visitors in June alone reached 3.15 million, down 6.8 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Bilateral relations soured after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi became involved in an emergency situation in Taiwan in early November last year. PM Takaichi stated that the use of Chinese military force against Taiwan could create a situation threatening Japan’s survival. During a lower house parliamentary session, Takaichi reiterated that this was the government’s official stance and refused to retract the statement. Beijing subsequently advised its citizens against travelling to Japan. China claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and aims to bring it under its control, by force if necessary. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged Prime Minister Takaichi to withdraw the remarks regarding the threat posed by China’s potential military action against Taiwan.