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.
Cinema tickets are still available in China for the hit Japanese animation Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, but CCTV reported that sales had fallen in recent days as the diplomatic row deepened.
Takaichi, who has been a vocal critic of China and its activities, suggested earlier this month that Japan might take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
Film distributors made the decision to postpone the releases after assessing the overall sentiment among Chinese audiences and the climate for Japanese films in China, reported CCTV on Monday.
Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers is an animated comedy centered on the adventures of a young boy and his friends, while Cells at Work! is based on a manga about human blood cells combating viruses.
While CCTV did not specify how long the delays would last, the sentiment following Takaichi's remarks has led to increased tensions.
The reports indicate that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has faced strong dissatisfaction among Chinese viewers in light of Takaichi's comments, leading to a decline in ticket sales.
Takaichi's statements in the Japanese parliament included the idea that the presence of battleships could represent a survival-threat for Japan. In response, Beijing has urged its citizens to avoid travel to Japan and advised students to reconsider their study abroad plans.
Japanese tourism, airline, and retail stocks have dropped sharply as investors assess the ramifications of China's backlash, a significant concern given that almost 7.5 million Chinese tourists visited Japan within the first nine months of the current year.
As this situation escalates, it highlights the fragile state of Sino-Japanese relations, particularly regarding Taiwan, which China views as a rebellious province. Many in Taiwan, however, consider themselves a separate nation, albeit preferring to maintain the status quo.
