Japan Faces Catastrophic Earthquake Crisis As China Issues Urgent Travel Advisory To Protect Citizens From Tremors, Tsunami Risks, And Massive Evacuations

Published on December 12, 2025

China has issued a strong travel warning for its citizens, advising them to avoid Japan following a series of powerful earthquakes that have struck the country since 8 December. The earthquakes, including a 7.5 magnitude tremor, have triggered tsunami warnings, widespread evacuations, and left over 100,000 people displaced. With ongoing aftershocks and the threat of further seismic activity, China’s advisory emphasizes the immediate danger to safety, urging nationals to postpone trips and remain vigilant if already in Japan. This action reflects the severity of the situation and the ongoing risks posed by the natural disaster.

China has issued a travel warning to its citizens, advising against visiting Japan due to a series of powerful earthquakes that have struck the northeastern regions since 8 December. These earthquakes, including a 7.5 magnitude tremor and several aftershocks, have caused widespread injuries, tsunami activity, and led to large-scale evacuation orders affecting over 100,000 people. The warning, issued by China’s Foreign Ministry’s Consular Affairs Department, underscores the significant safety risks posed by the seismic activity.

The advisory, which was published on the ministry’s WeChat account, urges Chinese nationals to postpone any planned trips to Japan and to stay alert for safety updates if already in the country. This marks the second travel warning in recent weeks from Beijing, which is particularly focused on both the natural disaster risks and the political tensions between China and Japan.

Seismic Threat in Japan
Since 8 December, Japan has experienced a series of earthquakes of varying magnitudes. The most significant of these was the 7.5 magnitude quake that struck on the evening of 8 December. It resulted in at least 50 injuries, and authorities reported visible tsunami waves in coastal areas. In the aftermath of the earthquake, evacuation orders were issued for thousands of residents in northeastern Japan, with alerts expanding as aftershocks continued to occur. These aftershocks ranged from magnitudes 5.0 to 6.6, and officials have warned that additional tremors of similar or greater strength may follow in the coming days.

The Chinese government’s Consular Affairs Department described the devastation caused by the earthquakes, noting the injuries and damage, as well as the subsequent evacuation of over 100,000 people. The department emphasized that there continues to be seismic volatility in the affected areas, and it has advised citizens to avoid coastal zones, where tsunami risks remain high. Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan have reinforced this warning, urging citizens to comply with local authorities’ instructions and stay away from high-risk areas.

A Diplomatic Context
This travel warning follows an earlier advisory issued by China on 14 November, which urged its citizens to delay travel to Japan due to escalating security concerns. That warning was issued in the wake of sharp political exchanges between China and Japan, particularly over Taiwan-related tensions. On 7 November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made statements suggesting that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be treated as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, prompting discussions about Japan’s right to collective self-defense. These comments were met with strong condemnation from China, which responded by issuing its travel advisory, suspending seafood imports from Japan, and postponing a planned cultural meeting between Japan, South Korea, and China.

While the current warning is triggered by the ongoing earthquakes and their associated risks, it is set against a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations. The proximity of Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, to Japan’s Yonaguni Island has contributed to these tensions, further complicating the travel advisories and diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.

Travel Advice for Chinese Nationals
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s notice advises citizens currently in Japan to stay vigilant and monitor earthquake information and potential secondary disaster risks. It calls for compliance with local evacuation orders and stresses the importance of following safety guidelines. Specifically, the ministry urges Chinese nationals to avoid coastal areas where tsunami activity may pose a threat and to remain in safe zones until the situation stabilizes.

While officials have not provided a timeline for when the travel warning might be lifted, they have advised citizens to stay informed and take appropriate precautions as aftershocks continue to affect the region. The situation remains fluid, and Japanese authorities are actively monitoring conditions as the seismic activity persists.

The advisory highlights the dual nature of the travel warning, addressing both the immediate safety concerns posed by the earthquakes and the broader diplomatic context in which these warnings are issued. For the time being, China’s position is clear: citizens should refrain from traveling to Japan until the seismic activity subsides and safety risks are minimized.

China’s travel warning serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the ongoing geopolitical challenges between the two nations. As Japan continues to deal with the aftermath of these powerful earthquakes, Chinese nationals are being urged to stay vigilant and heed local warnings, ensuring their safety in the midst of an uncertain and volatile situation.