The Indicator from Planet Money Why China pulled the plug on Japan
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Jan 5, 2026 Emily Fang, an NPR international correspondent, dives into the rising tensions between China and Japan. She explains the implications of Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's provocative comments on Taiwan and China's state-organized boycotts in response. From canceled concerts and seafood import bans to the economic fallout affecting both nations, Fang unpacks how China uses boycotts as political tools. The episode also highlights the cultural impact on Chinese society and discusses past precedents, including the return of pandas as a sign of escalating tensions.
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Concerts Cut Short In Shanghai
- Concerts by Japanese musicians in Shanghai were canceled mid-event or by police intervention at the venue entrance.
- Organizer Christian Peterson Clausen described musicians and an elderly fan being heartbroken when shows were abruptly called off.
Travel, Food, And Film Restrictions
- Chinese authorities warned citizens not to travel to Japan and canceled group tours, causing a sharp drop in tourism.
- Officials also restricted Japanese seafood imports and delayed Japanese films from showing in China.
State-Led Boycotts Hunt For Plausible Deniability
- Beijing shapes boycotts to appear grassroots so it can claim plausible deniability.
- That lets China present foreign policy pressure as genuine public outrage rather than direct state coercion.