The Japanese embassy in China has reminded citizens to respect local customs and be careful in their interactions with Chinese people.
Japan has warned its citizens in China to step up safety precautions and avoid crowded places amid a deepening dispute between Asia’s two largest economies over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan.
The advisory issued by Japan’s embassy in China came as a senior Japanese foreign ministry official travelled to Beijing to hold talks on Tuesday (Nov 18) with his Chinese counterpart to try and tamp down tensions.
China has urged its citizens not to travel to Japan, in what could deal a sizeable blow to Japan’s economy given that Chinese currently make up nearly a quarter of all tourists there, according to official data.
Takaichi sparked the most serious diplomatic clash between the two East Asian powers in years when she told Japanese lawmakers this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could trigger a military response.
In response, a Chinese diplomat in Japan posted a threatening comment aimed at Takaichi on social media.
That drew a strong rebuke from Tokyo but has failed to stem a wave of vitriolic commentaries aimed at her in Chinese state media.
“We have made judgments based on comprehensive consideration of the security situation in the country or region, as well as its political and social conditions,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Tuesday about the safety notice.
Noting the media coverage in China, the Japanese embassy there had on Monday reminded citizens to respect local customs and be careful in their interactions with Chinese people.
It asked citizens to be aware of their surroundings when outside, advising them not to travel alone and urging extra caution when travelling with children.
“If you see a person or group that looks even slightly suspicious, do not approach them and leave the area immediately,” the embassy notice said.
Film distributors have also suspended the screening of at least two Japanese films in China amid the deepening dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, in what Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said late on Monday was a “prudent decision” that took into account souring domestic audience sentiment.
Some Japanese films, including the animated Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! Scorching Kasukabe Dancers and manga-turned-movie Cells at Work!, originally slated for release in the coming weeks, will not begin screening in mainland China as scheduled, CCTV said, citing checks with film importers and distributors.
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