China Strengthens Its Japan Travel Alert After the Latest Offshore Earthquake, Highlighting Natural Disaster Risks Amid an Already Strained Bilateral Relationship

Published on December 12, 2025

China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday once again urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, citing safety concerns after an offshore earthquake occurred east of Aomori Prefecture earlier in the week

China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday once again urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, citing safety concerns after an offshore earthquake occurred east of Aomori Prefecture earlier in the week. Although the quake resulted in limited impact within Japan, Beijing emphasized that its nationals should reconsider non-essential trips and remain alert when assessing travel plans.

The renewed advisory follows an earlier warning issued in November, when Chinese authorities stated that incidents involving Chinese tourists and residents in Japan were increasing. Chinese officials presented the alert as a response to safety issues, but publicly available data in Japan did not show a spike in crimes targeting foreign nationals during that period. The advisory was widely interpreted as part of a broader diplomatic shift rather than a direct reaction to reported security threats.

Political Context Behind the Advisory

The announcement came after remarks in Japan’s legislature regarding a potential emergency involving Taiwan. Beijing viewed those statements as adverse to its position on issues it considers core national concerns. Such remarks prompted strong responses, including public messages urging caution and expressions of dissatisfaction through diplomatic channels.

In this context, many observers linked the November warning to Beijing’s intention to influence political discussions in Tokyo. Travel advisories, while framed as neutral safety messages, can affect public confidence, tourism flows, and economic interactions. The latest reiteration of the warning suggests that China intends to maintain pressure until conditions align more closely with its expectations.

Consequences for Travel and Tourism

Since the initial advisory last year, the effects on travel between the two countries have become increasingly visible. Airlines on both sides have reduced flight frequencies, noting decreased demand caused by uncertainty and concerns about potential travel complications. Passenger volumes have declined on routes connecting major cities, including those that historically saw steady traffic for business and leisure.

Tour operators in China have responded similarly. Several large agencies reduced the number of Japan-bound group tours, while some suspended organized travel to Japan altogether. Industry representatives indicated that customers are choosing alternative destinations that do not carry comparable warnings or political sensitivities. Popular substitutes include regional hubs such as South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Within Japan, the tourism sector—already navigating an uneven recovery—has expressed concern over the prolonged reduction in visitors from China. Hotels, retail shops, restaurants, and transportation operators that depend heavily on inbound tourism have experienced unstable demand. As a result, some businesses have shifted their outreach efforts toward travelers from Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America to lessen reliance on a single market.

Safety Cited After Aomori Earthquake

Thursday’s statement by China highlighted the offshore earthquake near Aomori as a reminder of Japan’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Japan, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, regularly experiences seismic activity but is known for rigorous construction standards and extensive disaster-preparedness systems. Earthquakes of similar magnitude occur regularly without prompting widespread travel restrictions from the international community.

Despite this, Beijing urged its nationals to delay discretionary travel, arguing that natural conditions present heightened risks. While governments often issue advisories following severe weather or geological events, the timing of this renewed warning—alongside recent political disagreements—has led many to see the message as influenced by broader strategic considerations rather than strictly by safety factors.

Wider Diplomatic Considerations

The latest travel directive reflects deeper structural tensions in the bilateral relationship. Economic interdependence remains strong, but the two countries continue to differ on issues such as maritime boundaries, security partnerships, and regional strategic priorities. Public sentiment has fluctuated in both nations, affected by territorial disagreements, defense policies, and contrasting views on regional governance.

Using travel advisories as a diplomatic tool fits into a pattern in which states rely on non-military measures to signal displeasure or exert pressure. Such measures may not result in immediate policy adjustments, but they contribute to long-term shifts in public perception and economic engagement.

Outlook

It remains uncertain how long the current advisory will remain in place or whether travel patterns will recover quickly once tensions ease. Some analysts suggest that tourism flows could rebound rapidly if political communication improves, while others predict that cautious attitudes may persist, reshaping travel habits in the region.

For now, the renewed warning underscores the growing role that mobility, tourism, and public messaging play in the dynamics of East Asian diplomacy. Movement between the two countries—whether for leisure, business, or cultural exchange—continues to be closely intertwined with the broader political climate, reflecting the complex relationship that defines this part of the region.