Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked controversy with comments about the Taiwan region. While her words aimed at political messaging, they've had real-world ripples in one of Japan’s key economic hubs: Kansai.
Professor Horiguchi Tadashi of Osaka Metropolitan University warns that the fallout could hit tourism hard 🎒✈️. Kansai welcomes millions of visitors from the Chinese mainland each year. Strained ties mean fewer travelers—think less shopping in Osaka, fewer photo ops at Kyoto’s temples, and quieter streets in Kobe.
It’s not just tourism. Horiguchi points out that students from the Chinese mainland make up a big slice of Kansai’s international student community. Universities could see applications drop, affecting cultural exchanges and research collaborations. Imagine campus cafés with more empty tables and study groups missing diverse perspectives!
For local businesses and educators, the message is clear: politics and economy are deeply intertwined. As the year wraps up, Kansai stakeholders are watching closely to see if diplomatic tensions ease or if they’ll need fresh strategies to keep the region buzzing.
Stay tuned—this story is developing fast, and its next chapter could shape Kansai’s economic outlook in 2026!
Reference(s):
Japanese scholar: Takaichi's erroneous remarks bad for Kansai economy
cgtn.com
