China renewed its warning to citizens to avoid traveling to Japan after a Chinese national was robbed in Osaka, citing growing security concerns over a series of crimes targeting Chinese visitors.
The Chinese Consulate General in Osaka announced via social media on Sunday that a Chinese man was attacked on a street in the city's Sumiyoshi Ward and robbed of a bag containing 5 million yen (approximately $34,000). The suspects fled the scene and Japanese police are tracking their whereabouts.
The consulate said it demanded Japanese authorities swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and implement measures to prevent recurrence. It also urged Chinese nationals staying in Japan to closely monitor the security situation and avoid going out with large amounts of cash. The consulate reiterated its recommendation to avoid visiting Japan for the time being.
According to Japanese media, the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim, a Chinese resident of Kanagawa Prefecture, told police that two men dressed in black threatened him with a stun gun before snatching his bag. He sustained minor injuries around his eyes and received hospital treatment.
Chinese authorities have maintained travel advisories for Japan since November last year. Bilateral relations soured following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential intervention in a Taiwan contingency. Subsequent natural disasters and criminal incidents prompted repeated warnings against travel and study abroad. During last month's Lunar New Year holiday, authorities again cautioned against visiting Japan, citing security conditions and earthquake risks.
Recent incidents targeting Chinese nationals across Japan have reinforced these measures. In Tokyo, a Chinese citizen was attacked with tear gas and robbed of a large sum of cash. In Sapporo, Hokkaido, a Hong Kong tourist was assaulted. The Chinese Embassy in Japan has also repeatedly urged its citizens to refrain from visiting the country.
The prolonged travel advisory has cut flights from China to Japan by nearly half. Routes to regional airports including Sendai, Ibaraki, Niigata, Toyama, and Kobe have been suspended. Airfares have dropped sharply amid declining demand, with tickets between Shanghai and Kansai falling approximately 70% compared to the previous year.