The release of at least two popular Japanese films has been postponed in China amid a diplomatic dispute related to remarks made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. The films affected are Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, as reported by Chinese state media CCTV.
CCTV noted that the delay in these film releases is a result of distributors evaluating the overall sentiment towards Japanese films in China. The report did not specify whether another animated hit, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, would also be delayed; however, it mentioned a decline in ticket sales in the context of the ongoing tensions.
Takaichi previously criticized China and suggested that Japan might take military action if Beijing were to attack Taiwan, creating an uneasy atmosphere around Japanese cultural exports. The Crayon Shin-chan film, which follows the comedic adventures of a young boy, was scheduled for release in the coming weeks, while Cells at Work! is a live-action adaptation of a manga about human blood cells combating viruses.
The duration of the release postponements has not been clarified. CCTV indicated that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has faced significant backlash among Chinese audiences following Takaichi’s comments. In response to the rising tensions, Beijing has advised citizens against traveling to Japan and suggested that students reconsider studying there due to safety concerns.
Meanwhile, Japanese tourism, retail, and airline stocks have seen a sharp decline as investors assess the potential impact of these diplomatic developments. China remains a significant source of tourists to Japan, accounting for nearly 7.5 million visitors in the first nine months of the year. This incident highlights the complex relationship between China, Taiwan, and Japan, particularly regarding Taiwan’s status, which is viewed differently by these nations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93d08jg383o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss