Due to tense relations between China and Japan, about 500,000 Chinese tourists have cancelled their trips to Japan

After China reminded its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future, analysts pointed out that about 500,000 Chinese travelers cancelled their flights to Japan.

AFP reported on Tuesday (November 18), citing data from independent aviation analyst Li Hanming, that the number of flight reservations from China to Japan plummeted from about 1.5 million on November 15 to 1 million two days later. Analysts infer that approximately 500,000 trips have been cancelled.

Since he established the relevant database in 2023, the number of active flight reservations has generally dropped by about 5% each day, which contrasts sharply with the 33% plunge observed between the above-mentioned dates.

He said, "If tensions escalate, there will definitely be more flights cancelled."

Several Chinese airlines have announced that they will offer full refunds for flights to Japan booked before December 31.

On November 7, Japanese Prime Minister Saane Takaishi said during a questioning session in the House of Representatives that if "there is something going on in Taiwan" and it is accompanied by military attacks, it may be recognized as a "crisis of survival", and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces can exercise their right of collective self-defense.

These remarks related to Taiwan immediately triggered stern representations and strong protests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. Last Friday (November 14th), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Chinese embassies and consulates in Japan also solemnly reminded Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future.

However, many Chinese travel agencies have responded differently to this. A large state-owned tourism company has removed all Japanese travel options from its app, while another travel agency in Beijing has indicated that it will no longer accept reservations for Japanese Tours.