Chinese Visitors to Japan Plunge 61% Amid Tensions

Japan's tourism industry reels as Chinese visitors plummet 61% in January 2026 compared to the prior year, dragging overall inbound arrivals down 4.9% to 3.6 million, the first decline in four years. Escalating diplomatic tensions, sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on potential military involvement in a Taiwan crisis, prompt Chinese travel advisories and mass flight cancellations through March.