Cultural Cancellations: Tensions Rise as Japanese Artists Face Fallout in China

Wed Dec 03 2025 04:53:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Recent performance cancellations of Japanese artists in China highlight the growing diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo, provoking strong responses from fans and officials alike.

The abrupt cancellations of performances by Japanese artists in Shanghai, including anime singer Maki Otsuki and pop star Ayumi Hamasaki, have raised concerns amidst worsening Sino-Japanese relations. Events were terminated mid-show, prompting accusations of censorship and cultural repression from fans in both countries. The developments reflect deepening diplomatic rifts over remarks made by Japanese officials regarding Taiwan.

The abrupt cancellations of several Japanese music events in Shanghai - one of them midway through a song - have sparked criticism among fans, with some calling the moves 'rude' and 'extreme'.

Maki Otsuki was halfway through the theme of hit anime One Piece on Friday when the lights and music went off, after which she was rushed off stage by two crew members.

On Saturday, pop star Ayumi Hamasaki performed to an empty 14,000-seat stadium after organisers axed her concert in Shanghai, citing 'force majeure'.

This spate of cancellations comes as diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo fester over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan.

Takaichi, known to be a vocal critic of China and its activities in the region, suggested last month that Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.

Beijing views self-governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to 'reunite' with it. Both sides have since lodged protests against each other, and the rift has also affected daily living in both countries.

Otsuki's management attributed the interruption of her performance on Friday to 'unavoidable circumstances'.

'Other than the performance being cancelled, there were no particular problems, and the local staff were very kind and helpful,' it wrote in a separate statement on Monday, in which it declined interviews on the matter.

Her performance was part of a three-day music festival in Shanghai, for which subsequent events were also called off after 'comprehensively taking into consideration various factors', according to Japan's Kyodo News.

Some of Otsuki's fans have made a meme comparing the shutting down of her performance with the shocking removal of China's former leader Hu Jintao during a Communist Party meeting in October 2022. The meme went viral on social media, with some saying Ms Otsuki was given 'the Hu Jintao treatment'.

On social media, some accused the Chinese authorities of taking away its own people's freedom to enjoy culture, in its attempts to sanction Japan. Notably, reactions included posts questioning the motives behind restricting cultural events.

George Glass, the United States' ambassador to Japan, joined the conversation online, expressing regret over the situation.

However, the incident also fanned nationalist sentiments on Chinese social media, with some asking why the event was allowed in the first place given the diplomatic row.

Hamasaki, who was in Shanghai as part of her Asia tour, said she was suddenly asked on Friday to cancel her concert but decided to perform anyway in appreciation of her crew and audiences. She emphasized entertainment's role as a bridge between cultures.

Two weeks ago, Chinese state media announced that the releases of at least two popular Japanese anime films will be postponed amid the diplomatic row.