One of the nicest things about traveling to Japan is that you really don’t have to worry about your safety, compared to just about anywhere else in the world. Well, China (the People’s Republic of China, not the Republic of China) seemingly has a different take, and is recommending that citizens not travel to Japan, out of concern for their safety… or something.
In this post:
China warns of safety risks with traveling to Japan
On November 14, 2025, China’s Embassy in Japan issued a travel warning, telling citizens to avoid travel to Japan. As flagged by LoyaltyLobby, here’s the translated memo published by the embassy:
Since the beginning of this year, public security in Japan has been unstable, with a high number of criminal incidents targeting Chinese citizens. Multiple cases of assaults on Chinese nationals in Japan have occurred, some of which remain unsolved. The overall security environment for Chinese citizens in Japan has continued to deteriorate. Recently, Japanese leaders openly made provocative remarks concerning Taiwan, further worsening the atmosphere for China-Japan people-to-people exchanges and posing significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Japan solemnly remind Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near future. Chinese citizens already in Japan should closely monitor local security conditions, enhance safety awareness, and strengthen self-protection. In case of an emergency, please promptly contact local police and reach out to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in Japan for assistance.
What’s China’s real motive for this travel warning?
It’s not too hard to make sense of what’s going on here. Japan’s new Prime Minister has made it clear that the country is supportive of Taiwan, in the event that China would attack. This is hardly the first time that China has issued a politically motivated travel warning when a country doesn’t take its side, with little basis in reality.
I can’t help but wonder if any Chinese citizens actually heed this warning, or if they know this is propaganda. Suggesting that the political disagreement between the two countries is “posing significant risks to the personal safety and lives of Chinese citizens in Japan” is quite a claim to make. As a visitor, you’re safer in Japan than just about anywhere else in the world, so that’s wild to me…
Bottom line
Chinese citizens should apparently be concerned for their safety when traveling to Japan, as the country has become “unstable, with a high number of criminal incidents targeting Chinese citizens,” and the “security environment” has “continued to deteriorate.” Something tells me we won’t see a significant decrease in tourism to China, but who knows…
What do you make of this travel warning?
"Multiple cases of assaults on Chinese nationals in Japan have occurred". Where are the newspaper articles showing the wounded and beaten Chinese tourists? It hasn't happened! Maybe they've been told off for being rude and loud in temples or onsen but then they deserve that. Hardly assault!
Besides which all the Japanese I know will be delighted if there are fewer Chinese tourists since they find them to be too loud and pushy which...
"Multiple cases of assaults on Chinese nationals in Japan have occurred". Where are the newspaper articles showing the wounded and beaten Chinese tourists? It hasn't happened! Maybe they've been told off for being rude and loud in temples or onsen but then they deserve that. Hardly assault!
Besides which all the Japanese I know will be delighted if there are fewer Chinese tourists since they find them to be too loud and pushy which is amplified as they travel in such large groups.
The proletariat continues to post totally unsubstantiated allegations about people who they know nothing about, people who live in countries which they have never visited and yet they disseminate propaganda which is about as accurate as a cheap Chinese watch. One has to pity them for it is clear that they know nothing about what life beyond their own environs is really like.
That’s what Xi said.
Ben I think you are getting into a tricky subject that is difficult to untangle. Both China and Japan have some deep rooted nationalistic tendencies that are at work here. Yes the communist party can be clumsy with their image and PR work. End of the day though, it has very little to do with how safe foreigners feel in Japan. You can find the whole situation ridiculous. And I get it why an outsider...
Ben I think you are getting into a tricky subject that is difficult to untangle. Both China and Japan have some deep rooted nationalistic tendencies that are at work here. Yes the communist party can be clumsy with their image and PR work. End of the day though, it has very little to do with how safe foreigners feel in Japan. You can find the whole situation ridiculous. And I get it why an outsider could feel that way. I guess I’m just used to you approaching things with more curiosity.
Thank you for clarifying which China with your “China (the People’s Republic of China, not the Republic of China)” …however, the one true China is Taiwan *wink*
Also, this travel warning is a joke. Japan is safe and great as ever.
That’s what Xi (should’ve) said.
lucky…
As a reader who has followed this site for nearly a decade, I want to express my disappointment with the tone of this post. Using “Lol” in the headline and a sarcastic framing makes the subject feel trivialized, rather than analyzed with your usual thoughtful travel and geopolitical context.
Regardless of one’s view on the advisory, the China-Japan relationship cannot be fairly discussed without acknowledging the deep historical wounds that still matter today...
lucky…
As a reader who has followed this site for nearly a decade, I want to express my disappointment with the tone of this post. Using “Lol” in the headline and a sarcastic framing makes the subject feel trivialized, rather than analyzed with your usual thoughtful travel and geopolitical context.
Regardless of one’s view on the advisory, the China-Japan relationship cannot be fairly discussed without acknowledging the deep historical wounds that still matter today — including the Nanjing Massacre and Unit 731 human experimentation. These are not fringe or emotional anecdotes; they are widely documented atrocities that continue to shape Chinese collective memory, identity and national-security perception. Ignoring that history and instead approaching this solely from a Western-traveler lens risks coming across as dismissive rather than insightful. As much as you love Japan, pls just delete
Lol
Ethan… niccce.
Well the Japanese were complaining about over-tourism by PRC, so this solves that issue for them too
In all seriousness though, the warning IS justified, given the current political climate. Think about it, in the event there was an actual shooting incident between the two countries (due to an error, hot headed commander or whatever) it WOULD be a very dangerous situation for an innocent PRC tourist in Japan, wouldn't it?
So Japan is...
Well the Japanese were complaining about over-tourism by PRC, so this solves that issue for them too
In all seriousness though, the warning IS justified, given the current political climate. Think about it, in the event there was an actual shooting incident between the two countries (due to an error, hot headed commander or whatever) it WOULD be a very dangerous situation for an innocent PRC tourist in Japan, wouldn't it?
So Japan is obviously extremely safe, but it may be unsafe for a PRC tourist for the time being.
China is such a failed country. Sure, they're good at making our stuff and being maids, but we're talking a people who are happy harvesting cooking oil out of sewers. I'm not kidding.
The Chinese have many, many decades to go before they become civilized. And with the obesity epidemic there, who knows if it will ever happen. Fattest nation in the world (and they weren't pretty to begin with).
That’s what Xi said!
Racism drips in this response. Disgusting. Underneath all this I sense a deep and debilitating envy. Europe is tanking economically, China is rising like a phoenix, and 'European Traveler' takes refuge in this senseless babble. Open your eyes, dude. I have been to China and its progress in the last 5 decades has been stunning. Maybe it has a more effective system of governance?
What a joke, the communist bots are here to make you believe the CCP are the poor innocent victims.
That’s what Xi said!
Milk-tea alliance! Taiwan #1!
The current PM of Japan is a xenophobic, homophobic, borderline fascist inspired by Margaret Thatcher.
I don't feel comfortable travelling to Japan now given this political shift. And most young, educated Japanese people are embarrassed by her.
1) "The current PM of Japan is a xenophobic, homophobic, borderline fascist inspired by Margaret Thatcher." - true, de facto.
2) "And most young, educated Japanese people are embarrassed by her." - false. In fact, the Millennials and Gen Z are the most supportive cohort among the population.
Your Japan glaze is crazy.
You seem to dislike Israel a lot. Interesting that you seems to have no problem with Japan backing them.
According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, 13% of people in Japan had a favorable view of Israel, while 79% had an unfavorable view; 10% had confidence in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while 78% did not.
Keep being an Epstein supporting Zio spouting fake news.
Whatever you say, but as long as LDP is ruling the country, Japanese govt will always be friendly with Israel.
And I'm not happy about it.
For your information, I don't like Israel either.
Why should I like a country that is literally a parasite on the Western World, as well as threatens to nuke them when they tried to stop backing Israel back in Arab-Israel wars.
But what matters more...
Whatever you say, but as long as LDP is ruling the country, Japanese govt will always be friendly with Israel.
And I'm not happy about it.
For your information, I don't like Israel either.
Why should I like a country that is literally a parasite on the Western World, as well as threatens to nuke them when they tried to stop backing Israel back in Arab-Israel wars.
But what matters more is people like you just decide to get blindfolded when it comes to Japan and their relations. That's a pure hypocrisy.
Have a happy Sunday night whilst scrolling through Google services on your iPhone.
Both of which you should've abandoned a long time ago if you were really concerned about Zionism.
Actually she is quite popular with young people in Japan. Her approval rating is going UP, a rarity for a Japanese PM, now around 70%. I am not sure why you think she is xenophobic, homophobic etc. Source? My family in Japan do not have that impression of her. Yes, Margaret Thatcher is her role model, but not sure there is any verity in your claim beyond that. Hope you don’t visit Japan as there...
Actually she is quite popular with young people in Japan. Her approval rating is going UP, a rarity for a Japanese PM, now around 70%. I am not sure why you think she is xenophobic, homophobic etc. Source? My family in Japan do not have that impression of her. Yes, Margaret Thatcher is her role model, but not sure there is any verity in your claim beyond that. Hope you don’t visit Japan as there are too many tourists there based on my recent trip - and I can’t wait to go back.
There's been a countless protests promoting Sinophobia in South Korea, yet I'm not sure whether Chinese officials have issued warning concerning that.
Sinophobia is a nice made up term. There's no such thing. It's just called disliking a country. Are we supposed to believe there's Americaphobia too?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Chinese_sentiment
@Julia, you're acting like as if I'm the one who created that word.
I'm really not, I'm pointing out it's a fake, meaningless term, and you're the one using it.
@mgrappy, what does that prove? There's anti-America, anti-every country sentiment. That's just how the world works.
Is China planning to attack Japan and doesn't want their citizens in the middle?
This is what China does. They flood you with tourism. Give you special discounts to encourage a significant number of their people to vacation in your land. They let this percolate for some time. Then when you dare say anything bad about them they cease all of that.
They do this to industries to. This is how Australia's Wine industry collapsed. Your best bet is never to do business with them from the get go.
You need to take that announcement with some salt as CCP never makes things super clear. That “high warning” actually means the following:
1. Tourist companies from China are not allowed to hold group tours to Japan anymore.
2. Government and state owned corporations employees are no longer allowed travel to Japan anymore until there’s probable cause other than tourism, even on personal trips.
3. Travel to Japan right now could be...
You need to take that announcement with some salt as CCP never makes things super clear. That “high warning” actually means the following:
1. Tourist companies from China are not allowed to hold group tours to Japan anymore.
2. Government and state owned corporations employees are no longer allowed travel to Japan anymore until there’s probable cause other than tourism, even on personal trips.
3. Travel to Japan right now could be seen as rebellion against social norms and would be construed as “not fit for teamwork” or “failure to show patriotism” and could negatively affect future promotions/ background checks, etc, if you still want to pursue a career in China.
4. Even those 3 doesn’t apply to you, there could be name calling or public shame should you post your Japan travel on social media for a while.
Even the dumbest and/or most loyal rednecks in China don’t believe Japan’s really unsafe these days but there are consequences by not following that “advice”. In CCP’s defense, they have a reason to do this, because geopolitics aside, current Taiwan government is seen as government in exile of the previous “dynasty” - Republic of China. Its mere existence undermines CCP’s legitimacy to rule the country so they must end it. Land sovereignty, in comparison, is not that important given Russia still holds Vladivostok, Sakhalin, and other parts used to be Qing Dynasty as a result of invasion, but looks like CCP has no problem with it.
Only the PRC is legitimate.
Just fyi so you (and your readers) don't make a fool of themselves. Many of your readers are very foolish and impressionable chronic basement dwelling redditors who have fell for the idea the ROC is a legitimate government of a sovereign Taiwan. It's very simple - Taiwan is a province of China and the PRC is the legitimate government.
honey. Taiwan is its own country. we just tell you guys what you want to hear in official positions. go back to being a mouthpiece for the CCP and try not to catch the kung flu in the process.
Taiwan is a country De facto, not De jure by UN. Only a few countries considers Taiwan de jure.
Whether you support Taiwan's independence or not. this is the current situation.
Why don’t you or the UN or 190+ countries dare to say the truth then?
Sorry. Facts don’t care about your feelings.
Sure Taiwan is not a country.
It's the Republic of China.
Glory to the KMT forever.
@Mason, Ironically KTM is known for its easier stance on relations with CCP, hence is no longer the dominant power in Taiwan. It’s DPP that runs the country now.
@Hiro
For now.
DPP have only won the presidential election because the opposition couldn't unify the candidates.
They then lost Legislative Yuan election.
Then the supposedly "democratic progressive" party threw a judiciary coup against 31 KMT legislators because they were mad.
Then that failed beautifully.
A party that wants to remove its opposition and start a war is democratic and progressive, how accurate.
@Gen: Why do you think the people of Taiwan prefer to live under the ROC government rather than under the PRC government?
You must be a stooge for the PRC government. Every Taiwanese I know does not consider themselves a province of China.
"Only the PRC is legitimate." LOL
That's a hugely ironic statement given that people in Taiwan (Republic of China) have had the freedom to elect their own President and other officials for almost 30 years, while the poor souls in mainland China (People's Republic of China = PRC) have lived under authoritarian rule for their entire lives.
I'm sure the PRC is seen as legitimate and lucrative by the privileged members of the CCP who...
"Only the PRC is legitimate." LOL
That's a hugely ironic statement given that people in Taiwan (Republic of China) have had the freedom to elect their own President and other officials for almost 30 years, while the poor souls in mainland China (People's Republic of China = PRC) have lived under authoritarian rule for their entire lives.
I'm sure the PRC is seen as legitimate and lucrative by the privileged members of the CCP who have embezzled large amounts of money and/or extended their lives through forced organ transplants from prisoners, Uyghurs, and infants. How many tens of millions of Chinese died from COVID but whose deaths were hidden/uncounted?
Please talk up the PRC's legitimacy more, we appreciate the entertainment.
“Gen Yinjing Youguan”
…that’s what Xi said!
"Only the PRC is legitimate." LOL
(I posted a reply earlier which either disappeared or failed to post.) That's a super ironic thing to say given that the people of Taiwan have been able to elect their President and other officials for almost 30 years. While the poor souls in mainland China have "enjoyed" nothing but authoritarian rule for their entire lives.
I'll be in Shinjuku for three nights next January. If I don't make it back, pour one out for me.
Just don't go Kabukicho and have no worries.
Chinese Commies have really mastered art of hypocrisy...
On the other hand, they behave like their egos were more fragile than the most delicate Ming-era porcelain
That’s what Xi said!
Oh yeah, so terribly unsafe for all of the "run-ri" looking to flee China and emigrate to Japan. Sigh.
That’s… what Xi said!
I don't understand the sarcastic tone of this article, especially since non of the staff of OMAAT is Chinese or Japanese. There certainly has been Japanese being targeted in China and Chinese being targeted in Japan (have been numerous deaths and injuries on both sides), plus the tension between the two countries drastically increased since Sanae became PM. And that's on top of the historical tensions between Japan and China.
It feels like the...
I don't understand the sarcastic tone of this article, especially since non of the staff of OMAAT is Chinese or Japanese. There certainly has been Japanese being targeted in China and Chinese being targeted in Japan (have been numerous deaths and injuries on both sides), plus the tension between the two countries drastically increased since Sanae became PM. And that's on top of the historical tensions between Japan and China.
It feels like the opinion is coming from the position of western privilege. Apart from the casual Xenophobia of the Japanese society, westerners certainly feel safe in Japan. But I would say that Indians, africans, muslims or other asian are treated the same in Japan. It's like how the US probably feels safe for europeans to visit. But that doesn't mean it's the same for latin Americans, or people from the mid-east at the moment. Why report something with such biased undertone?
+1.
Japan may well be the most racist of all countries in the Global North (that's to say they're not as racist as some developing countries, but they have got enough knowledge and resources to build a more inclusive society) and somehow a tall, wealthy American considers themselves qualified to endorse the country's safety for visitors from China, Africa etc.
Come on, as a Chinese, don’t be this obvious about your whataboutism. Is there Chinese kid's bus attacked in Japan, a-la jihad style? If not, shut the f up.
While I don't doubt that there is political motivation for this warning, the reality is that if anyone would be in danger in Japan, it would be Chinese citizens. There is a millennium of animosity between the two countries. The security situation definitely is not the same for Chinese citizens as it is for Caucasians.
Wouldn't most Japanese locals actually prefer to have fewer visitors from mainland China?
Yes, they're typically loud, obnoxious, and don't follow the rules. Honestly worse than American tourists.
Lucky - your opening paragraph says
“Well, China (the People’s Republic of China, not the Republic of China) seemingly has a different take, and is recommending that citizens not travel to China, out of concern for their safety… or something.”
I think you meant to say Japan on that last one.
@ FlyingHippo -- Fixed, thank you!