Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Tokyo, Japan – Following a recent travel warning from Beijing amid diplomatic tensions, local businesses in Tokyo are experiencing a decline in Chinese tourist numbers. However, many retail and dining establishments report that their overall sales remain stable.
Shiina Ito, who oversees a jewelry shop in the historic Asakusa area, shared that typically, Chinese patrons represent nearly half of her customer base. “With fewer Chinese visitors, Japanese shoppers find it quicker to shop here, so our sales have held up well,” she noted.
The diplomatic unrest was sparked by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, which provoked Beijing's response. Consequently, China urged its citizens to reconsider voyages to Japan. Despite these warnings, many business owners in Tokyo remain hopeful.
In the upscale Ginza district, Yuki Yamamoto, manager of a sought-after udon restaurant, indicated that his customer traffic had not fluctuated significantly. “Although a drop in visitors would be disappointing, we still see a steady flow of Japanese customers, so we are not overly worried,” he said.
China is a key contributor to Japan’s tourism, accounting for nearly 7.5 million arrivals in the first three quarters of 2025, making up about a quarter of all inbound tourists. Notably, these visitors tend to outlay more compared to other foreign travelers in terms of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
While certain sectors feel the pinch, not all businesses are equally impacted. Wu Weiguo, a travel agency manager in Shanghai, reported that most cancellations are linked to group tours, which constitute just 12% of Chinese visitors to Japan. “Most Chinese tourists prefer independent travel and still hope to explore Tokyo,” he mentioned.
Hotels heavily reliant on Chinese clientele, however, are experiencing the downturn. Keiko Takeuchi, who runs the Gamagori Hotel in central Japan, revealed that around 50–60% of her guests are from China, and numerous reservations have been scrapped. “I wish for a quick resolution to this issue, but it seems we are in for a wait,” she remarked.
Japanese authorities are striving to manage the situation, with Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko asserting the problem is controllable while noting an uptick in tourists from other nations. Meanwhile, Japan’s Minister for Economic Security, Kimi Onoda, cautioned against the dangers of excessive reliance on a single nation for tourism and trade, labeling China's actions as “economic coercion.”
Despite the present slowdown, industry experts are confident that Chinese tourists will continue to be drawn to Japan in the long run, attracted by the nation’s superior services, shopping opportunities, and appealing prices.
English
