Key Facts
• Prime Minister Takachi’s remarks on Taiwan tensions cooled Japan-China relations.
• Flight reductions and cancellation of about half of planned Japanese artist concerts occurred.
• A Japanese music company employee reported venue warnings about risks without direct government bans.
• Sushiro’s Shanghai opening saw up to 14-hour wait times on the first day.
• Aeon’s November opening in Hunan attracted 140,000 visitors on day one.
• Chinese consumers continue using convenient Japanese products despite political tensions.
• Aeon Mall Changsha’s general manager noted no visible anti-Japanese sentiment at opening.
• About 200 Chinese companies gathered in Hangzhou to explore expanding into Japan’s e-commerce market.
• JETRO Beijing deputy director Morinaga Masahiro emphasized Japanese firms must not self-restrict business in China.
• Maintaining and growing business in China is vital for Japanese companies amid tensions.
Summary
Following Prime Minister Takachi’s comments on Taiwan, Japan-China relations have cooled, impacting flights and cultural events, including the cancellation of half of Japanese artist concerts in China. Despite this, major Japanese companies like Sushiro and Aeon are experiencing strong consumer demand in China, with long queues and high visitor numbers at new store openings. Personal consumption appears largely unaffected by political tensions or so-called “considerate anti-Japan” attitudes. Chinese consumers continue to value convenience and quality, while some Chinese firms actively seek to expand into the Japanese market. Experts from JETRO stress that Japanese companies should not withdraw from China due to diplomatic strains, highlighting the importance of perseverance in maintaining business operations. The economic relationship between the two countries remains complex but shows resilience in consumer sectors and cross-border business initiatives as 2026 unfolds.
