Chinese Fans Not Responding Well to Japanese Fandom

Lily Chen, a long-time fan of Japanese music, was eagerly waiting outside a Beijing venue on a cold, windy Wednesday evening, excited to see her favorite singer after 20 years. As concert time came and went, the doors remained closed. Soon, Chen learned the disappointing news: the show was canceled. She recalled, It was a huge pity. The organizers cited equipment failure as the reason, but many fans suspect the cancellation is linked to rising tensions between China and Japan. The diplomatic strain intensified after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan might respond militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan, a move Beijing considers a red line.

The canceled performance was by J-pop artist Kokia, and it is not the only Japanese cultural event affected by the escalating tensions. Numerous other shows and fan meetings featuring over 30 Japanese artists, including pop icon Ayumi Hamasaki, were recently canceled in major Chinese cities, according to reports. Hamasaki personally apologized on Instagram for the abrupt cancellation of her Shanghai concert, sharing images of the empty venue and explaining that organizers received the cancellation request just a day prior.

Other cancellations occurred under similarly sudden circumstances. Two separate concert organizers told reporters that police arrived hours before showtime, imposing conditions that made performances impossible or simply calling off events without explanation. In Shanghai, Maki Otsuki, known for singing the theme song for the anime One Piece, had her concert abruptly stopped mid-performance due to force majeure, with video footage showing her shocked as staff removed her microphone.

Chinese social media users largely criticized these disruptions, describing them as rude and contrary to contractual obligations. Meanwhile, film importers paused releases of several Japanese movies, citing anticipated negative reactions from Chinese audiences. Chinese state media commented that Japans remarks would inevitably influence audience perception. Officials have not explicitly denied the connection between diplomatic tensions and entertainment cancellations. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that Takaichis statements had deeply hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and worsened China-Japan relations.

Despite the growing restrictions, not all Japanese cultural content has been affected. The anime movie Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle premiered in China shortly before other Japanese films were halted and became the second highest-grossing imported movie in mainland China this year, earning over 630 million yuan ($89 million).

Interest in Japanese culture remains strong among young Chinese, even as anti-Japanese sentiment persists due to historical grievances and recent nationalistic campaigns. Past incidents, like the 2012 protests over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, saw widespread demonstrations and attacks on Japanese businesses. Today, online nationalism continues to influence fans behavior. For instance, Yui, an 18-year-old anime fan, refrained from wearing a kimono to a convention to avoid potential backlash, despite spending 2,000 yuan ($282) on the outfit.

The current wave of cancellations has raised concerns for organizers and promoters working with Japanese artists. Koushin Zhao, who spent nine months preparing a concert for singer Yasuko Agawa in Beijing, faced last-minute police-imposed restrictions that made the show impossible. His team lost around 10,000 yuan ($1,411) due to canceled accommodations and flight changes. German promoter Christian Petersen-Clausen has also had to cancel six concerts in Shanghai, acknowledging significant financial losses and the opaque nature of the restrictions.

The situation highlights how diplomatic tensions can directly affect cultural exchange and the livelihoods of those promoting Japanese art in China. Fans and organizers alike are left uncertain about the future of Japanese entertainment in the country, with no clear resolution in sight.

Author: Sophia Brooks