Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

South China Morning Post · Feb 18, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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A Hongkonger has been beaten on the head with a beer bottle while visiting Sapporo, prompting the Chinese consulate in the Japanese city to again warn against travel to the country amid frayed bilateral ties.The consulate said the attack occurred at a restaurant in the early hours of Wednesday and that Japanese police had arrested a suspect at the scene.“The [consulate] has made representations to the local police, requiring the police to seriously hold the perpetrators accountable in accordance with the law and effectively safeguard the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens,” it said.“The Chinese consulate general in Sapporo once again reminds Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan in the near future, and reminds Chinese citizens in the consular district to pay close attention to the local security situation, improve safety awareness and strengthen self-protection.”Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have come to a standstill following remarks by recently re-elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November that an attack on Taiwan would be a security threat that might prompt military intervention from her country.Japanese PM ‘open’ to talks with ChinaJapanese PM ‘open’ to talks with ChinaSince then, the foreign ministry in Beijing has issued multiple warnings urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, citing “deteriorated” public security and rising crime targeting Chinese nationals.