November 19, 2025 | 02:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China has suspended the release of two Japanese films following escalating diplomatic tensions with Tokyo. The friction stems from recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential military intervention in a Taiwan conflict.
As reported by Al Jazeera, the animated film Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers and Cells at Work! will not be screened in mainland China as scheduled. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, distributors were informed of the cancellation just one day prior. Full ticket refunds are being issued.
The move follows Takaichi’s statement to the Japanese House of Representatives, where she argued that a Taiwan emergency could trigger a "survival-threatening situation", a legal classification that would allow Tokyo to engage in collective self-defense. She implied that Japan might conduct military operations if China attempts to seize Taiwan by force.
Beijing reacted swiftly, issuing travel warnings for Japan and tightening scrutiny on Chinese students studying there. As part of its response, China also deployed warships near the disputed Senkaku Islands.
CCTV described the distributor's move as a "prudent decision" based on market performance and the "Chinese audience sentiment," adding that Takaichi’s "provocative remarks" would inevitably damage the public perception of Japanese cinema.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Takaichi has stated she has no intention of retracting her comments.
Anti-Japanese sentiment has surged in the wake of the controversy. While some audiences still wish to view the films, support for a boycott is growing. CCTV noted that box office numbers for another Japanese anime, Blade of Extinction: Infinite Star, dropped sharply three days after Takaichi's speech, with daily revenue falling to 20 million yuan by its fifth day of release.
Experts describe China’s actions as part of a familiar playbook of economic coercion targeting non-essential imports. The ban highlights the economic risks for Japanese companies that cross China’s political red lines.
DITYA RASYADIPUTRA
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