China Issues Restriction Order Against Japan: Movies Pulled, Boy Band Fan Meeting Cancelled

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s response regarding 'Taiwan contingency' and its connection to collective self-defense rights has triggered a strong backlash from China, leading to heightened tensions in China-Japan political relations. This controversy has now spilled over into the entertainment industry, described by netizens as a new 'Japan Restrictions Order.' Multiple Japanese films originally scheduled for release in China have reportedly been pulled or postponed, and the Japanese boy band 'JO1' has also canceled their fan meeting originally set for the 28th in Guangzhou!

Chinese importers and distributors confirmed that several Japanese films slated for upcoming release, including 'Crayon Shin-chan: The Super-Dimension! The Storm Called My Bride' and 'Cells at Work!', will be “postponed.” As for the hit film 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Infinity Castle Chapter Part 1: Akaza Strikes Again', there were earlier rumors that it would be pulled from theaters on the 20th, but the latest update is that it has secured screening rights and will continue to show. As of now, 'Demon Slayer: The Infinity Castle' remains the strongest performer in the Chinese box office. According to Maoyan Movie data, the film has topped the national box office for five consecutive days, accounting for over 70% of daily ticket sales, with cumulative box office earnings reaching 400 million yuan (approximately 230 million Malaysian Ringgit).

Additionally, according to an official announcement from the Chinese organizer, boy group JO1’s fan meeting scheduled to be held in a Guangzhou mall has been canceled due to “force majeure.” While the statement did not expressly cite political reasons, the term “force majeure” has widely been interpreted by the public as a result of the ongoing political dispute.

aespa’s Ningning Faces Boycott, Calls for Removal from NHK Kōhaku

Meanwhile, there has also been a call for boycotts of Chinese artists in Japan. The Korean girl group “aespa” was invited for the first time to perform at Japan’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen this year, but controversy erupted after it resurfaced that Chinese member Ningning had previously shared a story about buying a lamp designed like an 'atomic bomb mushroom cloud.' This has triggered heated debate in both China and Japan. Japanese netizens criticized her for a lack of historical sensitivity, launching an online petition with over 30,000 signatures calling for aespa to be removed from the performance line-up. So far, NHK has not responded to whether it will adjust its line-up.