Major Chinese carriers, including Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, and Sichuan Airlines, have rolled out free refund and rescheduling policies for Japan-bound flights through the end of the year, following a stark warning from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about rising safety risks for its nationals in the country.
The advisory, issued amid escalating diplomatic tensions over provocative statements from Japanese leaders on Taiwan, highlights a surge in assaults on Chinese citizens in Japan since mid-2025, with several cases still unsolved and overall public security deteriorating.
In response, the ministry strongly recommended that citizens postpone non-essential trips to Japan to protect their personal safety.
Hong Kong's Security Bureau echoed the concerns on its outbound travel alert platform, noting the upward trend in attacks and urging local residents planning visits or already in Japan to stay vigilant, monitor updates from Chinese diplomatic missions, and heed the latest local developments.
The special ticket handling applies to eligible bookings with travel dates on or before December 31, allowing passengers flexibility without penalties.
