Core Insights - Approximately 491,000 tickets for flights to Japan have been canceled by Chinese airlines since November 15, representing about 32% of total bookings to Japan, marking the largest ticket cancellation event since early 2020 [1][2] - The impact on the Chinese domestic airline industry is expected to be limited due to the relatively small market size of the China-Japan route compared to the overall domestic and international market [2] - The reduction in Chinese tourists to Japan could significantly impact Japan's economy, potentially decreasing GDP growth by 0.2 percentage points if the number of Chinese visitors is halved [2] Flight Cancellations - Major Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have implemented special ticket handling policies for flights to Japan, allowing for fee-free changes or full refunds for tickets booked for travel between November 15 and December 31, 2025 [3] - Other airlines, such as Sichuan Airlines and Spring Airlines, have also canceled flights to Japan during early 2026 [4] Hotel Cancellations - There has been a notable increase in hotel cancellations, with travelers sharing successful refund experiences on social media, including full refunds for previously non-cancellable hotel bookings [5] Tour Group Cancellations - Several travel agencies have suspended new bookings for tours to Japan, with full refunds offered for previously paid fees [6] - Online travel agencies have also stopped accepting orders for popular routes to Japan, reflecting a swift adjustment to market changes [6] Economic Impact - The decline in Chinese tourists, who are a significant source of visitors to Japan, is expected to have a major negative impact on Japan's tourism industry [8] - Japanese business leaders are urging for political stability to ensure economic exchanges, highlighting the interconnectedness of political and economic relations between China and Japan [8]

Group 1 - The Chinese government has issued multiple warnings to citizens regarding travel to Japan, leading to a significant increase in ticket cancellations and hotel refunds [1] - Major airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, have announced special handling policies for tickets to Japan, allowing for fee-free changes or full refunds for eligible tickets [3] - Several airlines have already canceled flights to Japan, with specific routes being affected, including those from Chengdu to Sapporo [3] Group 2 - Travel agencies have frozen tours to Japan and are no longer accepting new bookings, reflecting a broader trend of cancellations in the travel sector [5] - Online travel agencies (OTAs) have reported a halt in accepting orders for popular autumn travel routes in Japan, indicating a shift in consumer interest [7]