China Warns Travelers About Japan Safety Risks Amid Earthquakes and Crime Spike During Lunar New Year Break cover art

China Warns Travelers About Japan Safety Risks Amid Earthquakes and Crime Spike During Lunar New Year Break

China Warns Travelers About Japan Safety Risks Amid Earthquakes and Crime Spike During Lunar New Year Break

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 China's Foreign Ministry has issued an unusually blunt advisory urging Chinese nationals to refrain from traveling to Japan in the near term, citing a spike in crimes targeting Chinese tourists, a string of strong earthquakes rattling central Japan, and official Japanese warnings of possible aftershocks. This advisory was published on January 26, 2026, just as the nine-day Lunar New Year break was beginning.

For those already in Japan, Chinese authorities recommend staying alert to local security bulletins, monitoring seismic warnings, and avoiding large gatherings. Travelers are advised to keep passports and valuables separate, steer clear of high-crime neighborhoods, and contact Chinese missions immediately in case of emergency.

The advisory has had significant travel industry impacts. China's three largest carriers—Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern—quickly moved to accommodate worried passengers by offering free refunds or date changes for tickets issued before January 26 for China-Japan itineraries from March 29 through October 24, 2026. Industry data shows that 49 China-Japan routes will be fully suspended in February, with the Beijing Daxing-Kansai route alone losing 113 flights.

Beyond the Chinese travel warning, Japan remains on the U.S. State Department's safest travel list at Level 1, which means exercising normal precautions. The country ranks 12th globally on the Peace Index and 11th on Numbeo's safety rankings. Tokyo in particular remains one of the safest major cities in the world, where visitors often remark on the comfort of walking around late at night and using public transport without concern.

However, Japan is geographically located in a "ring of fire" and is subject to typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The country's infrastructure is built with these natural disasters in mind, but it is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules of action in case of such events. A weather alert was issued by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo on February 6, 2026, though this did not change the overall advisory level.

For 2026 travel, listeners should be aware of several new regulations. Power banks must be carried in hand luggage and each unit must be 160 watt-hours or less. Certain items are banned from entry, including most fresh meat products, fruits, and vegetables, as well as counterfeit brand goods and products made from endangered species. Kitchen knives must be packed in checked luggage rather than carry-on, and rules on bringing e-cigarettes and plants have become stricter.

Recent safety concerns also include bear encounters in certain regions. From January to September alone, over 220 injuries were reported. However, experts note that Chiba, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa are safe places to enjoy nature without worrying about bears.

Additionally, restrictions regarding photography manners have been strengthened in many tourist areas. In Kyoto, certain alleys are now off-limits with fines of up to 10,000 yen for violations. A popular Mount Fuji photo spot at a convenience store location in Yamanashi Prefecture now has restricted crossing due to road blockages and littering issues.

For multinational employers and business travelers, the advisory underscores how quickly geopolitical or natural-hazard factors can disrupt established travel corridors. Human resources teams should review upcoming assignments and explore alternative routings through South Korea or Southeast Asia, which have supplanted Japan as the top outbound destinations on Chinese booking platforms this year.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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