Tokyo: Japan is beginning to feel the economic pressure of China’s growing travel boycott, which has sharply reduced the number of Chinese visitors entering the country amid escalating diplomatic tensions. The dispute, rooted in comments made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan, has quickly evolved into a wider economic and cultural standoff.

Tour operators across Japan report a sudden and steep decline in bookings from China. One Tokyo-based travel company said it has lost nearly 80 per cent of its year-end group reservations from mainland China and Hong Kong.

Airlines have also felt the impact, with Chinese carriers offering refunds for Japan-bound tickets through December. Analysts estimate that as many as 500,000 flight bookings have already b

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