Archive · 17 Dec 2025
China tensions slow Japanese tourism growth
Japan has been a popular place for Chinese tourists to visit, but recently, fewer Chinese people are going there.
This is because the Chinese government told people not to travel to Japan after Japan's leader said something about Taiwan that China didn't like.
Because of this, Japan is getting fewer Chinese tourists, which is bad for businesses that rely on them.
Japan is trying to get tourists from other countries to make up for the loss, but it's not easy.
Some places in Japan are feeling the impact more than others, like Osaka, where many Chinese tourists used to shop and spend money.
Overall, Japan is still getting more tourists than before, but the growth is slowing down because of this issue.
Chinese tourist growth to Japan slowed to 3% in November 2025, the weakest pace in nearly four years.
Overall inbound traffic to Japan climbed 10.4% year-on-year, driven by visitors from South Korea, Taiwan, and the US.
Beijing's travel advisory and flight cuts due to geopolitical tensions are causing a prolonged downturn in Chinese tourism to Japan.
Chinese tourists account for a fifth of Japan's tourism revenue, and their retreat could lead to a ¥1.2 trillion ($7.7 billion) loss in 2026.
Osaka, a key tourism hub, is experiencing a significant drop in flight bookings and luxury spending by Chinese visitors.
- Who
- Chinese tourists, Japanese tourism industry, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
- What
- Slowdown in Chinese tourist growth to Japan due to geopolitical tensions
- When
- November 2025
- Where
- Japan, with significant impact in Osaka
- Why
- Beijing's travel advisory and flight cuts following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan
- Chinese visitor growth
- 3% in November 2025
- Overall visitor growth
- 10.4% in November 2025
- Chinese tourists in Japan (2025)
- 25% of total visitors
- Projected tourism revenue loss (2026)
- ¥1.2 trillion ($7.7 billion)
- Osaka flight bookings drop
- 55% to 65%
- Luxury spending by Chinese in Osaka
- Projected to halve to $40-60 million/month
- Duty-free sales drop (Isetan Mitsukoshi)
- 20% in first two weeks of December 2025
- Chinese tourists in Gifu (2025)
- 10% of stays (down from 41% in 2019)
- Chinese tourists in Shizuoka (2025)
- 45% of stays (down from 71% in 2019)