Japan-China Relations Chill: Chinese Travelers at Kansai Airport Plunge 61% in April

According to a report by Kyodo News today, Kansai International Airport's operational data for April, released on the 25th, shows that the number of Chinese travelers using the airport plummeted by 61% compared to the same month last year. This decline is attributed to the cooling of Japan-China relations following Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi's remarks regarding a 'Taiwan contingency,' which prompted Chinese authorities to discourage citizens from traveling to Japan.

Due to the sharp decline in Chinese travelers and the impact of the US-Iran conflict on European and Middle Eastern routes, the number of international foreign passengers at Kansai Airport in April fell to 1.68 million, a 16% decrease from the previous year. The total number of international passengers also dropped to 2.05 million, a 13% decrease, marking the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year decline.

Despite the 61% drop in Chinese travelers, Kansai Airport statistics show that South Korean travelers increased by 21% compared to the same period last year, while travelers from Taiwan and Southeast Asia grew by 8%. In contrast, travelers from other countries, including the Middle East, decreased by 30%.

Additionally, the number of Japanese passengers on international flights in April increased by 7% year-on-year, while domestic flight passengers decreased by 7%. The total number of passengers in April was 2.51 million, a 12% year-on-year decrease.

In November 2025, after Sanae Takaichi mentioned a 'Taiwan contingency' during a parliamentary session, it triggered strong dissatisfaction from China. The Chinese government immediately implemented retaliatory measures, including discouraging travel to Japan and canceling flights. Flights to and from Kansai Airport became a primary target for these cancellations.