Published on
November 16, 2025
In response to escalating tensions between China and Japan, Hong Kong authorities have issued an urgent safety warning, urging residents to reconsider travel plans to Japan. The advisory comes amid a troubling rise in targeted attacks on Chinese nationals within Japan, which has heightened concerns about the safety of travelers. The situation has been further exacerbated by controversial remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting Japan may deploy military forces in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. These developments have created a tense atmosphere, prompting both Hong Kong and Chinese officials to act swiftly, offering passengers flexibility in adjusting or canceling their travel plans to Japan as a precautionary measure. The move underscores the growing risks faced by Chinese nationals and highlights the broader diplomatic strain between the two countries.
Hong Kong authorities have issued a safety advisory urging residents to exercise caution when traveling to Japan, following a recent surge in targeted attacks on Chinese nationals in the country. This warning, issued by the Hong Kong Security Bureau on Saturday, aligns with a broader travel alert issued by China’s Foreign Ministry, which has advised Chinese citizens to avoid visiting Japan due to escalating safety concerns.
The advisory comes after controversial remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in which she suggested that Japan might deploy military forces in the event of a cross-strait conflict involving Taiwan. These comments, perceived as provocative by China, have heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. In response to the growing tensions, China’s Foreign Ministry has raised concerns over the safety of its citizens in Japan, citing several incidents of violence targeting Chinese nationals earlier this year. The Ministry’s statement emphasized that the remarks surrounding Taiwan have created an atmosphere of hostility, undermining the safety of both Chinese residents and tourists in Japan.
The safety concerns have prompted Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern, to take action. In a move aimed at alleviating the stress of affected passengers, these airlines have announced that travelers with tickets to Japan purchased before noon on Saturday can now change or cancel their bookings free of charge, provided their flights are scheduled between Saturday and December 31.
The diplomatic row has had a notable impact on Japan’s tourism sector. Prior to the tensions, Japan had seen a significant increase in the number of visitors from Hong Kong. In April 2025 alone, 263,600 Hong Kong residents traveled to Japan, representing a 42.9% increase from the same month the previous year. Furthermore, between January and April of 2025, the number of Hong Kong visitors to Japan rose to 911,200, marking a 12.8% year-on-year increase. This growth is in line with the overall rise in international tourists to Japan, which had reached 2.68 million in 2024, accounting for approximately 7.3% of the country’s total foreign visitor numbers.
The increase in Hong Kong residents visiting Japan had been a positive sign for the Japanese tourism industry, particularly after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the current geopolitical tensions are now casting a shadow over the growing tourism ties between the two regions.
In light of these developments, both Hong Kong and Chinese authorities are urging residents to carefully evaluate the risks involved in traveling to Japan at this time. The safety of Chinese nationals in Japan has become a focal point of the diplomatic dispute, and travelers are being encouraged to remain informed about the evolving situation. Hong Kong residents, in particular, are advised to consider alternative destinations or postpone travel plans if possible.
The situation highlights the increasingly complex relationship between China and Japan, especially as tensions over Taiwan continue to dominate diplomatic discussions. The latest advisory also underscores the role that safety concerns play in shaping travel behaviors, with both governments acting swiftly to protect their citizens.
While the immediate impact on Japan’s tourism industry remains uncertain, the current situation underscores the importance of political stability and diplomatic relations in shaping global travel patterns. The authorities’ actions are designed to mitigate potential disruptions to travel, while also sending a clear message about the seriousness of the diplomatic rift.
In the coming weeks, it will be crucial to monitor how the situation evolves, particularly regarding any further developments in the diplomatic standoff. For now, the advisory stands as a reminder of the significant influence that geopolitical tensions can have on international tourism and the mobility of travelers across borders. As both Hong Kong and Chinese citizens weigh their travel options, the broader implications of this dispute are likely to ripple through the tourism sectors of both nations.
Hong Kong has issued an urgent safety warning urging residents to reconsider travel to Japan due to rising attacks on Chinese nationals and escalating tensions over Taiwan. This advisory highlights the growing risks and diplomatic strains between China and Japan.
As tensions simmer, the travel and tourism industries in both Japan and China will have to adapt to the shifting landscape. For now, travelers from Hong Kong are urged to stay informed and exercise caution while making their travel decisions.
