Why This Topic Landed in Japan

After the sharp drop in Chinese group tourists that followed the chill in Japan-China relations, many Japanese had come to enjoy quieter, less crowded tourist spots—so news that a Chinese state-owned agency was restarting six-night Tokyo/Osaka package tours hit as an unwelcome "the crowds are coming back." That reflex was sharpened by a widespread belief that Chinese group tourism brings little local economic benefit, thanks to closed-loop "one-dragon" payment systems that keep money out of Japanese hands. When the same agency abruptly switched its listings to "sold out" on the evening of June 19—reportedly because Beijing tightened the screws once the restart drew coverage—relief mixed with open ridicule of the Chinese government's same-day reversal.

Key Reaction Themes

  • "Please don't come" — Driven by the lived experience of calmer tourist areas, outright rejection of the restart dominated.
  • Sarcastic "thanks, Xi" — A black-humor strand argued that the Chinese Communist Party restrains tourism better than Japan's own pro-immigration, pro-inbound ruling party.
  • Mockery of the flip-flop — Once the halt surfaced the same day, netizens jeered at Beijing's "make up your mind" reversal.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Relief and ridicule at the sudden halt of group-tour sales

The abrupt halt right after the restart news drew relief and mockery of Beijing's same-day about-face.

Source: 2ch

Comments:

  • "Xi can do it when he tries!!"
  • "Now Japanese people can travel domestically with peace of mind."
  • "I'd seen the unsettling news that they were restarting, so I'm really glad this blocked it."
  • "I'll give Xi Jinping a gold star."
  • "Once it got exposed, they moved fast."
  • "Looks like we can sightsee in peace over the Obon holidays now."
  • "LOL, their face is totally lost, huh 😂😂😂😂"
  • "So which is it—are they coming or not!"
  • "Huh? What?? They flip-flop way too much lol"
  • "Yessssssssss"