On the evening of November 14, Chinese authorities issued a notice advising citizens to avoid traveling to Japan for the time being.
The moment the news broke, social media and WeChat Moments were flooded with one question: “Is it still safe to go to Japan?”
Some users said they had already canceled their hotel bookings and were waiting for refunds.
In fact, Japan’s tourism industry had already been under considerable pressure.
Beyond the broader macro environment, the sense of safety within Japan has been declining. Crime incidents occur from time to time, and attacks targeting tourists have been repeatedly reported—many still unsolved—making visitors increasingly sensitive about security.
Natural risks are also rising. This year’s wave of “bear incidents” has further eroded Japan’s appeal.
From hot spring ryokans to rural roads and even suburban areas, bear sightings have frequently trended online. Between April and September 2025, Japan recorded 20,792 bear encounters—the highest in five years.
Many travelers who originally planned to visit Japan are now switching to alternative destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang—shorter flights, more flexible visa policies, friendlier prices, and no compromise on travel experience.
Geopolitics, worsening public safety, frequent bear incidents, shifting regional public sentiment—taken together, these factors have introduced significant uncertainty into Japan’s tourism market this year.
