Japan warns its citizens in China: Tensions with Beijing reach a crisis point

Tuesday, November 18, 2025- Japan has issued a stark security warning to its citizens living or traveling in China, urging them to avoid crowded spaces and remain alert amid a rapidly deteriorating diplomatic standoff. 

The advisory follows a surge in anti-Japanese sentiment across Chinese media, sparked by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized that the government made the decision after carefully assessing the political and social climate, signaling that Tokyo views the current moment as volatile and potentially dangerous.

The root of the dispute lies in Takaichi’s warning that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could threaten Japan’s very existence—a claim that has inflamed Beijing and reignited longstanding mistrust. 

In response, the Japanese embassy in China has told its citizens to be especially cautious: avoid traveling alone, remain mindful of surroundings, and leave any group that feels even slightly suspicious. These instructions come amid widespread concern about how far anti-Japanese rhetoric may spiral.

On the economic front, the crisis is already taking a toll: at least two Japanese films have been pulled from release in China, and Tokyo is now racing to manage fallout on multiple fronts. 

Business leaders are urging dialogue, but analysts warn that both countries now stand “on a knife’s edge”—with economic interdependence, especially in critical minerals and tourism, adding a dangerous layer to the political tension.