Japanese Movie Releases Delayed in China Amid Taiwan Tensions

Two highly anticipated Japanese films, Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, face postponed releases in China due to escalating tensions related to Taiwan.

In response to a diplomatic row concerning Taiwan, China has delayed the release of popular Japanese films, including Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie. Amid negative sentiment towards Japan following remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the uncertainty around film releases highlights the impact of geopolitical tensions on cultural exchanges. The controversy has also led to a decrease in ticket sales for other Japanese films currently showing in China.

The releases of at least two popular Japanese films have been postponed in China as the countries are locked in a dispute over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan.

The delayed releases include Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, according to Chinese state media CCTV.

While cinema tickets remain available for the hit Japanese animation Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, CCTV noted that sales had decreased in recent days as tensions escalated.

Takaichi, known for her critical stance towards China, suggested earlier this month that Tokyo could consider military action should Beijing attack Taiwan.

Film distributors and importers have opted to postpone these films after evaluating the sentiment among Chinese audiences and the broader outlook on Japanese films in China, CCTV reported on Monday.

The upcoming Crayon Shin-chan the Movie is centered around the comedic adventures of a young boy and his friends, while Cells at Work! adapts a manga about human blood cells combating viruses. Both titles were poised for imminent release but now face indeterminate delays.

Notably, CCTV indicated that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is encountering significant dissatisfaction from audiences due to the remarks made by Takaichi.

Amid these developments, Takaichi stated in parliament on November 7, If there are battleships and the use of force, no matter how you think about it, it could constitute a survival-threatening situation. In response, Beijing has advised its citizens to travel to Japan cautiously and has urged students to reconsider studying there due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Japanese tourism and retail stocks have notably dropped as the implications of China's backlash unfold.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not dismissed the possibility of using force to reclaim it, a stance not supported by many Taiwanese, who prefer the status quo of peaceful coexistence.