Japan retailers, tourism sector wary after China warns against travel
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Chinese tourists make up a significant portion of foreign visitors to Japan.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
TOKYO – Japanese retailers and tourism operators voiced concern on Nov 15 after China warned its citizens against visiting Japan, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks about a potential contingency involving Taiwan.
Department stores and travel agencies expressed fears about a possible decline in Chinese visitors, who had been returning since the end of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions a few years ago.
Some industry officials said they would closely monitor Beijing’s future actions, noting that the Japanese government’s response could determine whether the warning resulted in an actual drop in tourist numbers.
An employee of major department store chain Takashimaya said the company expects visitor numbers to be affected but will keep a close eye on the situation, including how both governments respond.
While department stores are experiencing an increase in visitors from other parts of Asia, Chinese travellers still account for a large share.
Another department store official said, however, there have been more individual travellers than visitors on group tours recently, and the number of repeat customers has been rising, reflecting a stronger preference for independent travel among foreign visitors.
Some also said many Chinese tourists appreciate the convenience of shopping in Japan, predicting that a portion could still choose to visit on their own.
A hotel official said the industry views Japan’s relations with China as “politically unstable”, and tourists from other countries as well as domestic travellers would cushion any impact on business.
An airline industry source could not comment on intergovernmental matters but hoped tensions would “calm down”.
On Nov 14, China urged its citizens to avoid visiting Japan after Ms Takaichi said last week that a military attack on Taiwan
