China delays Japanese film releases over Taiwan row
What's the story
The release of at least two popular Japanese films has been postponed in China amid a diplomatic dispute over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. The affected films are Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, reported Chinese state media CCTV. Meanwhile, tickets for the popular Japanese animation Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle remain available for purchase in China despite a recent decline in sales.
Decision taken
Postponement reflects market response and audience sentiment
The postponement of the film releases was a "prudent decision" made by film distributors and importers after reevaluating the overall outlook of Japanese films in China and the sentiment among Chinese audiences, CCTV said on Monday. While the animated comedy Crayon Shin-chan the Movie follows Shin-chan's adventures with his friends, Cells at Work! is a live-action adaptation based on a manga about human blood cells combating viruses.
Audience reaction
'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' faces audience dissatisfaction
CCTV reported that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle had encountered "strong dissatisfaction among Chinese audiences" following Takaichi's remarks. The BBC reached out to the films' distributors, including Japanese media giant Toho, for further information. Takaichi's comments on November 7 suggested that Japan might respond militarily if China attacked Taiwan, a statement that Beijing viewed as a direct threat.
Diplomatic tensions
China-Japan relations: A growing rift
The diplomatic row has prompted Beijing to advise its citizens against traveling to Japan and urged students to reconsider studying there due to safety concerns. Japanese tourism, airline, and retail stocks have also taken a hit as investors assess the fallout from China's response. China is a major source of tourists for Japan, with nearly 7.5 million visitors in the first nine months of this year alone.