China's Cultural Retaliation Against Japan Over Taiwan Support

Beijing is curbing Japanese movies, music, and art as it seeks to punish Tokyo for its support of Taiwan. According to the New York Times, a singer was forced offstage in the middle of a song, and another performer faced an audience of zero in a 14,000-seat theater.

Comedy troupes and anime artists have had their engagements canceled. In response to Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could intervene militarily if China were to attack Taiwan, China has urged millions of tourists to avoid Japan, restricted Japanese seafood imports, and increased military patrols in disputed waters.

Recently, the Chinese authorities halted the release of Japanese films, scrapped plans for anime-themed festivals, and canceled concerts by Japanese artists. Yu Sasayama, manager of the all-female rock band Magmaz, expressed frustration over their canceled China tour, stating, 'There’s nothing we can do.'