Beijing’s advisory urging Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan would significantly improve the tourism experience for visitors from other countries, travel bloggers said.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday issued a travel warning after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi earlier this month said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute “a survival-threatening situation” that could trigger a military response.
The advisory said that the crime rate in Japan has been rising, with many cases of Chinese being attacked.
Photo: AFP
“Recently, the Japanese leader made explicit and provocative remarks related to Taiwan, severely worsening the atmosphere of the exchange between Chinese and Japanese nationals, and putting life and safety of Chinese nationals residing in Japan under enormous risks,” the Chinese ministry said.
Chinese citizens should avoid visiting Japan in the near term, while those residing in Japan should closely monitor the security situation and enhance their safety awareness, it said.
Taiwanese travel writer “943” said that fewer Chinese tourists in Japan would make it easier for Taiwanese to book quality hotels and restaurants.
They would have more space to move around when shopping in Japanese stores and might no longer face long lines at checkouts, she said.
Their travel in Japan would be more relaxed and of higher quality as well, she said.
“Taiwanese travelers are actually pleased with the latest development of Japan-China relations, because they are now less likely to encounter loud group travelers, like going to Japan before it was inundated by travelers,” she said.
Taiwanese travel blogger Linshibi (林氏壁), who specializes in independent travel in Japan, joked that Japan is indeed a dangerous country.
“Seriously, Japan has seen a rise in bear attacks on humans, as well as a major flu outbreak. With the yen’s depreciation, one could easily spend a fortune without realizing it. Such a dangerous country is perfect for Taiwanese visitors,” he said.
It is worth monitoring to see if political factors actually lead to a substantial fall in Chinese tourists in Japan, he added.
“Takaichi can be assured that the tourism revenue that Japan has lost due to its dispute with China would be made up by a dramatic increase of Taiwanese visitors,” he said.
However, some Chinese in Shanghai and Beijing said they would still travel to Japan despite the warning, although they are concerned about discrimination in Japan and retribution from fellow citizens.
A man surnamed Yang (楊), who offers technical support services for Japanese corporations in China, frequently travels between the countries for work.
He said that he has become accustomed to shifts in China-Japan relations over the years.
However, it was the COVID-19 pandemic, rather than political factors, that most affected his work, Yang said.
Having permanent residency in Japan, Yang said he is surrounded by mostly Japan-friendly people and has already booked tickets for a sea-fishing trip in Nagasaki next year.
“My position on this issue would not be swayed, and I do not have friends who are populists,” he said.
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