Takashi Sanae led the Liberal Democratic Party to a significant victory, securing two-thirds of the seats in the National Assembly. (People News/AI-generated image)
[People News] On February 16, the eve of the Lunar New Year, Japanese Prime Minister Kōichi Sanae released a New Year’s greeting on the official website of the Prime Minister's residence in Japanese, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and English. However, the customary red light of Tokyo Tower, which typically shines for the New Year, was not illuminated. Despite Sino-Japanese relations reaching a low point and the Chinese Communist Party continuously advising citizens against travelling to Japan, there has been a notable surge in 'reverse tourism' among the public.
On the eve of the 2026 Chinese New Year, Kōichi Sanae delivered her traditional New Year’s message on the official residence's website. In her address, she extended New Year’s greetings to 'friends around the world celebrating the Spring Festival' and emphasised that in light of the current international situation, 'Japan will strive to play a greater role in promoting peace and prosperity for the international community.' She sincerely wished for world peace in the coming year, hoping that more people could return to a peaceful life.
Mainland media observed that Kōichi's message did not mention 'Chinese expatriates living and working in Japan.' In contrast, former Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru's 2025 Spring Festival greeting began with 'New Year’s greetings to Chinese expatriates living and working in Japan and to all friends around the world celebrating the Spring Festival.'
Furthermore, reports indicate that on New Year’s Eve, Tokyo Tower did not light up the so-called 'China Red' as per tradition, which triggered a reaction among the 'little pinks' (Chinese nationalists), who claimed this was 'adding insult to injury for people across China' and boasted that 'Japan should be prepared for a barrage of firepower.'
Some commentary articles from mainland China suggest that this is not a misstep by Kōichi Sanae, but rather a deliberate 'laying down of the gauntlet,' indicating that the Japanese government is consciously pursuing a 'psychological decoupling' from Beijing.
Interestingly, despite Beijing's ongoing warnings to Chinese citizens about Japan's unstable public security and its advice against travelling there, the group of 'wealthy returnees' who are familiar with Japan seems to be more determined than ever.
On social media, a user shared a video of a 14-day trip to Japan with their parents, costing over 10,000 yuan per person, which quickly went viral. In the comments, netizens were quite straightforward: 'No matter what the authorities say, doing the opposite is the right choice!' Some even claimed that now is actually the best time to visit Japan because 'there are fewer compatriots,' which enhances the quality of the travel experience. They also expressed confidence in Japan's food and drug safety and service standards.
This reflects the current state of Sino-Japanese relations in 2026: a reduction in Saito Sanae's congratulatory message and the Tokyo Tower turning off its 'Chinese red' lights. Analysts suggest that this indicates a significant political freeze between the two nations. At the same time, the influx of Chinese tourists shows the middle class's commitment to high-quality life experiences. When politics and daily life are viewed separately, this contrast may serve as a true reflection of our times. △
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