Chinese tourists are avoiding Japan in large numbers as a dispute over Taiwan worsens. Japan dropped out of the top 10 destinations for Chinese Lunar New Year trips. According to Japan’s transport ministry, Chinese arrivals almost halved in December 2025 compared to the previous year. This sharp fall continues after Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hinted at military action if China invades Taiwan. China claims Taiwan as its own and has promised to use force if needed. Takaichi’s comments angered Beijing. Chinese officials advised tourists and students not to visit Japan. Instead, more Chinese travelers are heading to South Korea, with an expected 250,000 visitors—1.5 times higher than last year. Other countries like Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Russia also attract more Chinese tourists than Japan during the Lunar New Year. The forecast shows a 60% drop in Chinese visitors to Japan this holiday season. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused Takaichi of trying to revive Japan’s militarist past. At the Munich Security Conference, Wang warned that Japan risks "self-destruction" by following such a path. Japan denied the claims, saying its defence efforts respond to global security threats and target no particular country. Liu Xiaoming, China’s special envoy on Korea, compared Takaichi’s remarks to Japan’s 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, warning Japan might repeat "tragic mistakes" if it does not change. Despite Beijing’s repeated travel warnings citing safety concerns—including after a recent stabbing incident in Osaka—some Chinese still plan visits to Japan. A man told Kyodo news that people-to-people goodwill should be encouraged. A woman from Shanghai said, "The travel alert is aimed at promoting criticism of Japan. But my family has not been brainwashed." The diplomatic row shows no sign of cooling as Lunar New Year approaches.