According to data released on February 9 by Kansai Airports, the operator of Kansai International Airport, the number of passengers traveling to and from mainland China was approximately 277,000 in January (preliminary figure), which reflects a 58% decline compared to the previous year.

The drop in travel demand to Japan followed recommendations from the Chinese government advising its citizens to avoid visiting Japan. Kansai Airports acknowledged that while the trend of flight reductions has temporarily stabilized, predicting a recovery in flight numbers for the summer schedule starting in late March remains challenging.

Additionally, the overall number of passengers on international routes took a dip, dropping by 10% to 2.07 million. Despite the slump in passenger numbers regarding flights to and from mainland China, travelers on routes to South Korea grew by 21%, totaling 754,000, and Taiwan routes saw a 10% rise, accumulating 269,000 passengers. Routes to Europe and the United States also recorded a growth of around 10%.

In January, flights to and from mainland China registered a 60% decline, contributing to an overall decrease of 14% in international flight movements at Kansai International Airport. Compared to December 2025, the number of flights has diminished by over 600, with reductions and suspensions continuing to expand as January progressed.