According to Nikkei Asia, China’s recent travel bans to Japan have impacted Chinese businesses rather than the Japanese industry as intended.

Following the Chinese diplomatic retaliation to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about a potential crisis in Taiwan, China issued a travel ban for Japan last month. Unfortunately, the ban has severely impacted Chinese-owned travel businesses rather than hurting the Japanese tourism industry as intended.

According to Nikkei Asia, the Chinese-owned businesses that have long operated in Japan and cater specifically to Chinese tourists are seeing a severe impact from China’s travel ban. Many of these companies are "all-inclusive," which handle almost the entire travel experience in Japan, from accommodation and transportation to entertainment and dining. These services are provided in Chinese, and most payments are made through Chinese online payment systems.

Although there are currently no official surveys or statistics on the scale of the "all-inclusive" industry, an unnamed Chinese marketing analyst estimates that the industry's annual output exceeds 1 trillion yen (approximately US$6 billion).

A Nikkei Asia reporter visited Ueno, Tokyo, in mid-December and found many previously bustling Chinese restaurants deserted. Similar situations are playing out across the country, with small travel agencies, chartered drivers, tour guides, vacation stays, and even kimono rental shops run by Chinese experiencing a significant drop in business. 

Japanese businesses are attempting to shift their focus to serving tourists from other countries, but for Chinese operators, this move is particularly difficult. As political tensions continue, China’s own businesses are facing potentially devastating losses with no relief or end to the travel ban in sight.