China orders airlines to cut Japan flights through March amid diplomatic tensions

China has instructed its airlines to significantly reduce flights to Japan through March next year amid ongoing diplomatic tensions, according to Bloomberg News.

The directive requires Chinese carriers to immediately cut flights to Japan, with the reductions continuing through March 31, coinciding with the global aviation industry's seasonal schedule change. Airlines have discretion over which routes and how many flights to reduce.

The move comes as Chinese tourist cancellations for Japan trips continue to expand, now affecting even the spring travel season in April. China Trading Desk data shows Chinese interest in visiting Japan has dropped sharply, with many travelers viewing the decline as more than temporary.

The research firm estimates Japan could lose US$1.2 billion in tourism revenue if cancellations continue through year-end, potentially rising to US$9 billion if the impact extends through next year.

The diplomatic strain began after Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae suggested in parliament that "a Taiwan contingency" could constitute an existential crisis for Japan, implying potential military intervention. Beijing strongly protested the remarks, triggering public boycotts and mass travel cancellations.

Japanese hotels have reported over a thousand booking cancellations as the economic impact spreads across the tourism industry.