Hong Kong’s Security Bureau has issued an advisory to residents travelling to Japan, citing a rise in attacks against Chinese citizens since mid-2025. The notice follows a broader alert issued by Beijing for its nationals, which the Chinese foreign ministry linked to both security incidents and recent Japanese political remarks.

The warning states that “since mid-2025, there has been an increasing trend of attack incidents against Chinese citizens in Japan,” and urges travellers to pay attention to personal safety, monitor local announcements and follow consular advice from Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan.

China’s advisory, issued on Friday, came amid heightened diplomatic tensions after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo might deploy its Self-Defence Forces in the event of a cross-strait conflict involving Taiwan.

Japanese officials responded by lodging a formal protest, emphasising the need to maintain open communication.

Japan’s wide reliance on Chinese tourism means the alert may have economic as well as diplomatic impact.

Tokyo has insisted that safety conditions remain high for all visitors and urged travellers to maintain confidence.

Hong Kong’s advisory appears to align with Beijing’s position while adding a territorial dimension within the special administrative region’s policy framework.

Residents already in Japan or about to travel are asked to remain vigilant and register their plans via the Immigration Department’s travel-registration system.

With regional geopolitics and security perceptions increasingly entwined, the travel warning underscores how diplomatic disputes and personal-safety concerns are converging to affect outbound travel from Hong Kong.