Chinese fans of Japanese pop culture are growing increasingly worried about potential restrictions on Japanese entertainment and cultural content, as tensions between China and Japan escalate over Taiwan-related comments by Japan's Prime Minister. The concerns echo the 2016 "hallyu ban" that severely limited Korean cultural content in China, raising fears of a similar crackdown on Japanese media and performances.
The cultural impact of the diplomatic tensions became apparent when a concert by Japanese singer-songwriter Kokia was abruptly canceled in Beijing on November 19. Fans waited outside the venue for over an hour past the scheduled start time before learning the show would not proceed. Wang Xiaobu, a Beijing office worker who had purchased a ticket, was so determined to see the performance that she flew to Guangzhou for another concert that weekend. "I turned regret into contentment," she wrote on the lifestyle platform RedNote. "The last-minute cancellation for my first time also led to my first spur-of-the-moment trip. An unforgettable experience."
The cancellations appear to be connected to escalating diplomatic tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments suggesting Tokyo would deploy its self-defense forces if Beijing attacked Taiwan. China, which considers the self-ruled island part of its territory, was infuriated by the remarks and repeatedly demanded that Takaichi withdraw her statements. Beijing's response has included economic measures that have increasingly affected cultural events, including the freezing of Japanese movie releases in Chinese theaters.
An informal count by Chinese internet users reveals that at least 20 Japanese concerts, live performances, and fan meetings across major cities have been canceled or postponed since Takaichi's remarks. This has sparked growing concern among Chinese consumers of Japanese pop culture that content restrictions could escalate into a full-fledged ban, similar to the hallyu ban that began in 2016 in response to South Korea's deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system.
Since the Korean wave ban was implemented, the vast majority of Korean dramas and movies have failed to pass Chinese broadcast reviews, meaning they cannot be aired on Chinese television channels or shown in local cinemas. Most Korean singers and performers have also been unable to hold large-scale concerts within China. The precedent has many Japanese culture enthusiasts worried about facing similar restrictions.
Many of China's millennials and Generation Z have grown up with broad access to Japanese animation, films, television dramas, comics, and games. Their love for Japanese pop culture, combined with rising spending power, has fueled a booming merchandise economy rooted in anime, comics, and game (ACG) culture. Shanghai, a key hub for anime-related events, exhibitions, and pop-up stores, plays a central role in this trend due to its geographical proximity to Japan and hosts numerous Japanese artist performances.
"If there is a restriction or ban, it's not just about losing what I love to buy – it's also about losing a lifestyle for younger generations," said Wang Yulu, a 22-year-old college student in Shanghai and lifelong fan of Japanese animation who enjoys shopping for ACG-related merchandise. She warned that Japanese pop culture could naturally fade away from young people's lives if access becomes limited or nonexistent, noting that living in Shanghai gives her easier access to purchase such merchandise.
The youth-driven merchandise economy has brought fresh opportunities to brands and traditional shopping malls, with ACG merchandise such as badges, acrylic stands, and collectible cards gaining significant popularity. According to iiMedia Research, China's merchandise economy market reached 168.9 billion yuan ($23.8 billion) last year, representing a 40.6 percent increase from 2023. The market is projected to surpass 300 billion yuan by 2029.
Reflecting on the impact of the Korean wave ban, Wang Yulu noted how the restrictions significantly limited her exposure to Korean culture. "There used to be so many Korean variety shows, celebrities, and products in China, but after the ban, I felt my understanding of Korean culture became increasingly limited," she explained. "Now, whenever Korea is mentioned, my first reaction is K-pop – and it is the only thing I can think of that is still popular here."
Pluto Wang, a follower of Japanese singers who works for an internet company in Beijing, expressed understanding for his country's response while acknowledging the personal impact. "I fully understand my country's response, as the Japanese leader's remarks hit at the heart of China's interests," he said. "I'll continue to enjoy Japanese culture and works objectively, keeping politics aside. However, opportunities to see live performances by my favorite Japanese singers in China may become far less frequent as a result."
Amid the escalating tensions, some Chinese social media users have voiced support for measures targeting Japanese cultural exports. "We must support our country this time, as the prime minister's remarks severely crossed our national red line!" one user wrote on Weibo, China's equivalent of the social media platform X. The sentiment reflects the divided opinions among Chinese consumers about how to respond to the diplomatic crisis.
A cultural sector worker from Guangdong province, who gave his name as Lester, expressed concern about the far-reaching impact of the recent wave of abrupt performance cancellations. "Sudden disruptions like this will make many Japanese artists and performers hesitant to engage with China in the future, and bilateral exchanges remain highly susceptible to geopolitical developments," he warned. "Cultural exchange is an important means of fostering understanding, but it can only happen when there is sufficient space for it to develop. This space seems to be dying at the moment."
Experts on China-Japan relations have offered cautious assessments, warning that the broader outlook has grown less optimistic and that short-term restrictions are likely. "As for the long term, it remains to be seen whether restrictions will develop into a systemic ban resulting in a complete halt to cultural exchanges between China and Japan, just like the hallyu ban," said Zheng Zhihua, an associate professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Centre for Japanese Studies. He noted that Beijing is particularly wary about Japan's recent deployment of medium-range missiles on Yonaguni, a small island less than 110 kilometers from Taiwan. "If political, military, and diplomatic confrontations between the two countries continue to escalate in a spiraling fashion, these tensions are bound to spill over to the cultural sphere."
