China scraps concerts with Japanese musicians as diplomatic tensions mount

"After less than one minute, the venue owner came to me and said the police told him all concerts with Japanese people are cancelled - and there is no discussion," said Christian Petersen-Clausen, a German concert promoter and documentary filmmaker who has lived in China for 13 years.

About a dozen concerts with Japanese musicians in major Chinese cities have been abruptly cancelled this week as diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo escalate.

The trigger was remarks this month by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi who said a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

China, which regards the democratically governed island as its own, was incensed and has said Takaichi will face consequences. Its response began with economic measures such as a boycott on travel to Japan and a ban on imports of Japanese seafood, but it has since increasingly spilt over to the realm of cultural events.

Suzuki, an 80-year-old renowned jazz bassist and his quintet had undergone a months-long review process to obtain China performance visas.

"They were absolutely excited to come to China," according to Petersen-Clausen, adding the band was "crushed" at the news.

On Thursday and Friday, music venues across China were warned by authorities that concerts with Japanese musicians for the remainder of 2025 may be cancelled, he said.

The venues were also told not to submit fresh applications for Japanese performers' gigs next year and concert organisers are now banned from sending promotional texts to fans about upcoming gigs of Japanese artists.

China's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CHINA WELL VERSED IN CULTURAL BOYCOTTS

Other abrupt cancellations include a Beijing concert by Japanese singer KOKIA on Wednesday evening, according to dozens of complaints from angry fans on social media.

"Everyone queued until the start time, but they still wouldn't let us in. Afterwards, KOKIA's team came out to tell us the band is ready, but the venue won't let them perform," read one post on the platform RedNote.

Videos circulating on X on Thursday showed a large crowd of angry fans outside the venue chanting: "Give us our money back!"

Japanese rapper KID FRESINO's China tour was indefinitely postponed on Friday, according to a social media post by his Chinese tour promoter.

China has a history of using cultural boycotts against countries as a form of economic coercion during diplomatic disputes.

No major K-pop bands have been allowed to perform in the country since the 2016 THAAD missile dispute between the two neighbours. K-dramas and other Korean cultural products remain under an unofficial ban on Chinese platforms.

Beijing has been battling to boost spending on services this year amid a prolonged economic slowdown. Cancelling these concerts will be a further drag on growth, said Petersen-Clausen. He noted the knock-on effects of fans' cancelled flights and hotel bookings and reduced shifts for Chinese support staff.

Live music gigs are also an important outlet for many young Chinese people facing work or life pressure during the economic downturn, and many young music fans who attend concerts pay little attention to international politics, he added.

"We do see this kind of (anti-Japanese) sentiment sometimes online ... but we don't see it at these concerts," he said.

"I've never, ever heard anybody bring politics into these moments."