Japan Drops as Chinese Tourist Hotspot Amid Tensions

China's outbound travel surges with 165-175 million trips projected for 2026, fueled by visa-free policies and a stronger yuan, yet Japan faces a drastic plunge as visits could halve to 4.8 million from 9.3 million in 2025. Diplomatic rifts over Taiwan, sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on potential military involvement, prompt Beijing's safety advisory urging citizens to reconsider trips, leading to mass cancellations and 60% fewer flights through March.