China’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal travel advisory on November 14, 2025, cautioning Chinese nationals against immediate travel to Japan. The directive, published via the Consular Express WeChat account, cites a worsening security climate for Chinese citizens in Japan and severely strained bilateral relations stemming from recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. The advisory underscores that escalating political rhetoric and a rise in incidents targeting Chinese travelers pose significant risks to their personal safety.
Security Concerns and Diplomatic Fallout Spark Advisory
The advisory follows a noted increase in unsolved assaults and other security incidents affecting Chinese residents and visitors in Japan throughout the year. Beijing asserts that the overall safety environment for its citizens has deteriorated significantly, necessitating the unprecedented public warning.
The core of the diplomatic friction stems from Prime Minister Takaichi’s statements on November 7, where she suggested that a military contingency in the Taiwan Strait could constitute a direct “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. This evaluation implies that Tokyo could potentially invoke its right to collective self-defense under its existing security framework, a position Beijing views as a dangerous encroachment on its sovereignty.
In immediate response to Takaichi’s comments, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a strong protest. On the same day the travel advisory was released, Ambassador Wu Jianghao, reportedly acting on direct instructions, summoned Japan’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takehiro Funakoshi, to deliver a formal demarche. Beijing condemned the remarks as “brazen and provocative,” accusing Takaichi of breaching international norms and crossing China’s critical “red lines” regarding the status of Taiwan.
Heightened Rhetoric and Military Maneuvers
The travel warning is only the latest in a rapid series of escalating diplomatic exchanges. Both sides have recently summoned the other’s ambassador to protest actions and statements. China’s defense ministry added a military dimension to the row, labeling Takaichi’s stance “extremely irresponsible” and warning that any attempt by Japan to use force over the Taiwan issue would be met with a “crushing response” from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Chinese state media has intensified its critique, framing Takaichi’s position as part of a right-wing push in Japan to shed post-war constitutional constraints and accelerate a controversial military buildup, reopening grievances related to wartime history. Adding to the tense atmosphere, reports emerged from Japan indicating that Beijing’s embassy in Tokyo had advised its diplomats to limit public outings due to concerns over rising anti-China sentiment.
Meanwhile, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reiterated Tokyo’s official position that it seeks a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues through dialogue, despite the ongoing diplomatic tumult.
Guidance for Chinese Nationals in Japan
For Chinese citizens already in Japan, the Foreign Ministry advised exercising extreme caution:
- Monitor local security conditions closely.
- Heighten personal safety awareness and strengthen self-protection measures.
- In case of emergencies, contact local police immediately and seek consular assistance from Chinese diplomatic missions in the country.
The travel advisory highlights the severe impact geopolitical tensions can have on ordinary travel and people-to-people exchanges, effectively freezing tourism and business travel between the world’s second and third-largest economies during a period of acute strategic uncertainty. The situation remains volatile, underscoring the necessity for both governments to de-escalate rhetoric and reopen constructive diplomatic channels.