Japan warns residents in China about security as diplomatic disaster deepens

[ad_1] Japan advises residents in China to keep away from crowded areas, look out for 'suspicious individuals' Japanese movie screenings in China suspended as rift intensifies Japan's enterprise leaders name for diplomatic decision BEIJING/TOKYO, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Japan has warned its residents in China to step up security precautions and keep away from crowded locations amid a deepening dispute between Asia's two largest economies over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's feedback on Taiwan.

The advisory issued by Japan's embassy in China got here as a senior Japanese overseas ministry official travelled to Beijing to carry talks on Tuesday together with his Chinese language counterpart to attempt to tamp down tensions . Enroll <a data-testid="Link" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-suspends-japanese-film-releases-diplomatic-crisis-deepens-2025-11-18/undefined?location=article-paragraph&redirectUrl=%2Fworld%2Fasia-pacific%2Fchina-suspends-japanese-film-releases-diplomatic-crisis-deepens-2025-11-18%2F" class="text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC">here.

China has urged its residents to not journey to Japan, in what might deal a sizeable blow to Japan's financial system given Chinese language presently make up almost 1 / 4 of all vacationers there, based on official information. Tourism-related shares in Japan have plunged . MOST SERIOUS DIPLOMATIC CLASH IN YEARS Takaichi sparked essentially the most severe diplomatic conflict in years when she told Japanese lawmakers this month {that a} Chinese language assault on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival might set off a army response. In response, a Chinese language diplomat in Japan posted a threatening remark aimed toward Takaichi on social media. That drew a robust rebuke from Tokyo however has did not stem a wave of vitriolic commentaries aimed toward her in Chinese language state media.

"We've got made judgments primarily based on complete consideration of the safety state of affairs within the nation or area, in addition to its political and social situations," Kihara stated on Tuesday in regards to the security discover.

Noting the media protection in China, the Japanese embassy there had on Monday reminded residents to respect native customs and watch out of their interactions with Chinese language individuals. It requested residents to pay attention to their environment when exterior, advising them to not journey alone and urging further warning when travelling with kids.

"Should you see an individual or group that appears even barely suspicious, don't method them and depart the realm instantly," the embassy discover stated.

Movie distributors have additionally suspended the screening of a minimum of two Japanese movies in China amid the deepening dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, in what Chinese language state broadcaster CCTV stated late Monday was a "prudent resolution" that took into consideration souring home viewers sentiment.

Some Japanese movies together with the animated "Crayon Shin-chan the Film: Tremendous Scorching! Scorching Kasukabe Dancers" and manga-turned-movie "Cells at Work!", initially slated for launch within the coming weeks, won't start screening in mainland China as scheduled, CCTV stated, citing checks with movie importers and distributors.

EFFORTS TO EASE TENSIONS Beijing claims democratically ruled Taiwan as its personal and has not dominated out utilizing drive to take management of the island. Taiwan's authorities rejects Beijing's claims and says solely its individuals can resolve the island's future.

Taiwan sits simply over 110 km (68 miles) from Japanese territory and the waters across the island present an important sea route for commerce that Tokyo relies on. Japan additionally hosts the most important contingent of U.S. army abroad.

On Sunday, Chinese language coast guard ships sailed by way of waters round a gaggle of East China Sea islands managed by Japan however claimed by China. Japan's coast guard stated it drove the Chinese language ships away.

The U.S. doesn't formally recognise the islands, referred to as Senkaku in Tokyo and the Diaoyu in Beijing, as Japanese sovereign territory however since 2014 has stated it might be obliged to defend them if attacked underneath the Japan-U.S. safety treaty.

"In case anybody was unsure, the USA is absolutely dedicated to the protection of Japan, which incorporates the Senkaku Islands. And formations of Chinese language coast guard ships gained’t change that," U.S. ambassador to Japan George Glass stated on X.

This week's G20 summit in South Africa supplied a possible discussion board to assist ease tensions however China stated its premier has no plans to satisfy Takaichi on the sidelines of the gathering.

Kihara stated nothing has been determined about bilateral conferences throughout G20, however that Japan stays open to conducting "numerous dialogues" with China.

'ON A KNIFE'S EDGE' In addition to tourism, Japan is closely depending on China for provide of vital minerals for all the things from electronics to vehicles.

“If we rely too closely on a rustic that resorts to financial coercion the second one thing displeases it, that creates dangers not just for provide chains but in addition for tourism," Japan's financial safety minister Kimi Onoda instructed a press convention on Tuesday.

"We have to recognise that it’s harmful to be economically depending on someplace that poses such dangers," she added, responding to a query about China's requires its residents to keep away from journey to Japan.

Japan's Commerce Minister Ryosei Akazawa stated on Tuesday there had been no explicit adjustments in China's export management measures on uncommon earths and different supplies as of but.

The heads of Japan's three enterprise federations met with Takaichi late on Monday and urged dialogue to resolve the diplomatic tensions.

"Political stability is a prerequisite for financial change," Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of Japan's largest enterprise foyer Keidanren, instructed reporters after the assembly, based on media studies.

Japan's refusal to retract its statements meant its de-escalatory efforts had did not mollify Beijing, Cornell College's China overseas coverage skilled Allen Carlson stated.

"In consequence, the 2 nations now stand on a knife’s edge."

Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing, John Geddie in Tokyo; Extra reporting by Tim Kelly, Mariko Katsumura, Kantaro Komiya, Satoshi Sugiyama, Ritsuko Shimizu and Katya Golubkova in Tokyo and Laurie Chen in Beijing; Enhancing by Lincoln Feast.

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Purchase Licensing Rights John is the lead author for Japan & Higher China, reporting on all the things from elections to earthquakes. Beforehand primarily based in Singapore and London, his work has acquired a number of journalism accolades, together with a 2022 SOPA Award for Excellence in Reporting on the Setting.