On Monday (Nov 24, 2025), John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), publicly denounced Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on the Taiwan region as “extremely erroneous.” He warned that such remarks have hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and chilled exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Japan. 😠
Lee also flagged a safety advisory from the Hong Kong Security Bureau: residents of Hong Kong traveling to or currently in Japan should stay extra vigilant. The alert comes amid concerns over a rising trend of attacks on people from the Chinese mainland abroad. To help travelers adapt, Hong Kong International Airport is offering flexible rebooking options. ✈️🔄
In a related move, the Education Bureau of the HKSAR recently decided to cancel its planned secondary school exchange program to Japan in December 2025. Citing safety as the top priority, officials pointed to incidents targeting students and teachers and stressed the need to protect everyone involved. 🎒🚫
Lee assured that the HKSAR government will keep monitoring the situation and update its travel advice in real time. For now, if Japan’s still on your bucket list, double-check your plans and watch for official updates. 🗾🔔
Whether you’re chasing cherry blossoms or craving street food in Osaka, remember: safety first! Keep your apps updated, register with the local consulate, and have a backup plan. Safe travels! 🌸🍡
Reference(s):
Hong Kong chief executive says Takaichi's Taiwan remarks are erroneous
cgtn.com
