Japan's retail and tourism sectors faced a market meltdown this week after China urged its citizens to avoid travel to the country. The advisory, issued by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, sent shockwaves through Tokyo's stock market, with major brands and airlines nosediving. 📉
Beauty giant Shiseido plummeted 11.4%—its worst drop since April 2025—while Don Quijote operator Pan Pacific International sank 9.7%. Department stores like Isetan Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya saw double-digit losses, and even Tokyo Disneyland's parent company dipped 5.1%. ✨Pro tip: This isn't just about sunscreen sales—it's geopolitics meets economics.
The tension stems from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent remarks about potential military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, which China called 'reckless.' Meanwhile, anime fans in China are also feeling the pinch: releases of Crayon Shin-chan and Cells at Work! movies were abruptly postponed. 🎬
Analysts say the market reaction highlights Japan's reliance on Chinese tourism, which accounted for 30% of pre-pandemic visitors. With holiday travel season approaching, the stakes are high—both economically and diplomatically. 🌏
