China Cancels Japanese Concerts Amid Taiwan Tensions, Fans Left Outraged

A sudden wave of cancellations of Japanese music events across China has left fans and artists stunned, as rising diplomatic tensions over Taiwan spill into the cultural sphere.

Beijing resident Lily Chen had waited for hours in cold winds to attend J-pop singer Kokia’s concert. When the time arrived, the doors remained shut, and organisers announced the show had been cancelled. While “equipment failure” was cited, many fans suspect the decision was politically motivated following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks that Tokyo could respond militarily if China attempted to take Taiwan by force.

According to public announcements, at least 30 Japanese performances — including pop superstar Ayumi Hamasaki — have been cancelled in recent days across major Chinese cities. Hamasaki apologised on Instagram after her Shanghai concert was halted, sharing photos of herself and her dancers on stage facing empty seats. She noted that key staff were informed only a day prior that the show could not proceed.

Event organisers told reporters that police either imposed last-minute requirements impossible to meet or shut down performances entirely, sometimes without explanation.

One dramatic incident involved Maki Otsuki, the singer of the popular anime One Piece theme. Her Shanghai performance was abruptly stopped due to “force majeure,” according to her official website, with footage showing her microphone pulled mid-song.

Chinese social media users criticised the sudden cancellations, calling them “rude” and “unprofessional,” highlighting the growing tension between cultural events and political disputes.

Japanese pop culture has long been popular in China, from anime to music. Analysts warn that prolonged political friction could freeze Japanese entertainment events across the mainland, leaving fans and performers caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.