The warning has been issued, but flights remain full. Chinese tourists are still queuing up for boarding at domestic airports where the risk of traveling to Japan has increased.

The iron railings in front of the boarding gate quietly divided into two lines, one heading to security, the other toward the refund counter. More people chose the former. The authoritative reminder popping up on their phones kept refreshing, but the sound of rolling suitcases was louder. Some were counting their orders, others staring blankly at the Japanese yen they had exchanged. The conflict was obvious, as was the decision.

This is not an isolated case, but rather a harsh aspect of the trend.

Some ask, why go then. The first layer of the answer is very simple: the money has already been paid. The flight tickets were bought when the exchange rate was low, the hotel was chosen with a non-refundable "early bird" price, and the experience activities were secured on the official website. Cancellation means the entire order is wasted, and it may even involve arguments with customer service, possibly even losing the taxes. Taking leave to 凑休 (凑集休息) is even harder, and once missed, it's gone. The sunk cost is visibly apparent.

The decision of many is not "risky," but rather being pushed forward by the costs already paid.

The second layer is the exchange rate. The Japanese Yen is weak to the point of being unbearable to look at. Let's do the math, 100 Japanese Yen is approximately 4.5 RMB, depending on the daily exchange rate. Consumption tax can be directly waived for short-term tourists, meaning that 10% is subtracted at checkout. Adding on mall promotions, the prices are even lower than those in flagship stores in China. A bag priced at 100,000 Japanese Yen is equivalent to 4,500 RMB, and when combined with tax-free shopping and promotions, it often saves even more.

The return of cheap flights further lowers the barrier. Flights in many cities have resumed, even exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and some secondary airports have launched direct flights. Off-peak season tickets with taxes halved are not unusual, and weekend red-eye flights are even "cheap." When the "pain" of travel is shared, hesitation decreases.

A more subtle layer is "drawing boundaries." Many say that travel is travel, and politics is politics. On the surface, this is restraint. But digging deeper, it's also a form of psychological self-protection. Breaking down complex issues prevents being torn apart by inner conflict. This isn't indifference; it's more about the helplessness of the individual in the face of vast issues.

Where does the appeal of "Japan is fun" come from? It's not just a personal preference today, but a set of long-accumulated impressions. The orderliness of convenience stores, the attention to detail in hotels, the scale and warmth of neighborhoods, the quietness on trains, and the respect for reservations in restaurants. This predictable and controllable experience is inherently attractive. In a city that has long been crowded in public spaces, being able to complete a trip in an orderly manner is itself a form of "healing."

Over the past decade, the presence of celebrities has 无形中 enhanced this appeal. Some stay long-term, others are short-term visitors, and some shoot music videos in street corner cafes. These scenes are shared across platforms, becoming "daily templates." Landing, checking in, soaking in hot springs, shopping. These small moments of joy accumulate, forming a collective imagination.

Numbers can bear witness to the popularity. In 2019, the number of mainland Chinese tourists to Japan approached 10 million. At that time, in the 入境 structure, about one out of every three foreign tourists came from mainland China. At the tax refund counters, it was common to see Chinese language signs being held, and shopping districts even posted signs indicating "WeChat Pay is available." When businesses see money, they will follow up with optimized services.

Approximately 9.59 million tourists from mainland China visited Japan in 2019, accounting for nearly a third of the total.

The situation is not static. In recent years, hawkish rhetoric in Japanese politics has 明显增多, with statements regarding the Taiwan Strait being particularly 刺耳. Individuals like Toshikazu Kashiwagi within the Liberal Democratic Party have repeatedly emphasized the supposed "link between Taiwan's affairs" and Japan's security in public settings. This slogan-like phrase quickly ignited public opinion. Because it directly addresses China's core interests and touches on historical memories.

The expression "When Taiwan has a problem, Japan has a problem" triggered widespread and strong backlash.

On the other side of public opinion, safety reminders have been elevated. The cultural and tourism, as well as foreign affairs systems, have been densely warning of risks. Foreign missions emphasize the recent increase in cases involving Chinese citizens, covering theft, robbery, fraud, disputes, conflicts, and responses to emergencies. The reminders are not just slogans; at the execution level, they involve avoiding high-risk areas, reducing unnecessary travel, and improving emergency plans. This is not a "ban," but rather "risk control" based on reality.

The focus of the official reminder is not "punishing the other party economically," but "reducing the risk to our personnel."

Airlines then followed up by offering free cancellations or waivers of change fees. It appears gentle, but in reality, it reduces the "exit cost." It gives people who change their minds a way out. This cooperation shows that the policy chain is not "emotional," but is instead trying to leave room for individuals.

But when the camera swept over the airport, the scene still showed a contrast. Japanese media had originally prepared to film a "reduction," but what they saw first was "no reduction." They then changed their question to, "Why are you still coming?" The interviewees' answers were concentrated on a few points: money had already been paid, the holiday was rare, the exchange rate was favorable, and their companions were urging them. Short, yet real.

"Why are you still coming?" becomes the starting point of the conversation, also revealing the overlap of multiple motivations.

Explaining the human dimensions in this can help reduce mutual blame. First is the risk discount. When making travel decisions, people automatically "discount" low-frequency risks, especially when there are no direct cases around them. Second is the bandwagon effect. Seeing that peers, colleagues, and acquaintances on social media are all heading out makes it easier to convince oneself "it's not that serious." Third is the planning inertia. The longer the plan has been in place and the more invested, the harder it is to stop mid-way.

The risks of discounts, herd mentality, and planning inertia can make slogans ineffective at the airport entrance.

This does not mean the reminder is redundant. On the contrary, it requires us to explain "how to travel" in more detail. Itinerary design should avoid crowded peak times, hotel selection should focus on safety measures and surrounding security, important documents should be stored in a dispersed manner, and electronic copies should be uploaded to the cloud in advance. In case of disputes, first fix the evidence, then contact the merchant and platform, and call the police and seek help if necessary. When communication is a barrier, prepare standardized phrases for seeking help and translation tools.

When it comes to spending, don't forget the subtleties of taxes and exchange rates. Duty-free doesn't mean "completely free"; some cosmetics and food items have quantity and opening restrictions. For high-priced products, verify global warranty and repair channels. Don't let "limited edition" or "discontinued colors" cloud your judgment. There's a difference between the exchange rate displayed and the actual amount credited. Credit card foreign transaction fees will increase the final price, while cash exchange depends on the spread. Calculate it twice, and you'll save more than just a few bills, as well as hedging against "impulse buying."

Be more realistic about safety. Avoid quiet alleys at night and don't display large amounts of cash or high-value items. When public transportation is less crowded during the last ride, choose a brighter route or call for a ride. If you encounter salespeople or "approach-style" guides, politely refuse and don't engage in further conversation. Always double-check the amount before paying for meals and keep the receipt. Any "wrong" feeling is worth changing your route.

Please save the local emergency and ambulance numbers, as well as the contact information of the Chinese Consulate-General in Japan in advance.

Grand narratives cannot be avoided either. The pain from eighty years ago is both black and white photographs in archives and fragments in family oral histories. Memory does not disappear out of thin air; it becomes a reference when facing current choices. It is not about elevating every trip into a declaration of stance, but rather to remind oneself: choosing where to spend money and how to spend it inherently carries the shadow of values.

Therefore, rational travel does not equate to value neutrality. Some choose to pause traveling to Japan, which is an expression. Some, under the premise of having already traveled, deliberately reduce non-essential spending, which is also an expression. Others redirect their spending to local or friendly destinations, upholding the logic of "voting with your feet" to the end. Diverse approaches can coexist. The key is to be clear about what one is doing and why.

Rational travel does not equate to value neutrality; consumption is also an expression.

Don't just push the blame between each other. Shifting all the pressure onto individuals is neither fair nor effective. Risk governance requires joint responsibility from policies, enterprises, platforms, and tourists. Policies should set clear boundaries, enterprises should ensure compliance, platforms should strengthen risk control interception, and tourists should do their homework. Once this coordinated system matures, decision-making costs will naturally decrease.

Back to that harsh statement. Any expression that treats the Taiwan Strait as a bargaining chip cannot be easily accepted by Chinese society. It is not just political language; it simultaneously provokes the existing order and historical common sense. Expressing concern should not rely on igniting opposition. Tying regional security to provocation will ultimately make everyone's lives worse.

The "crowded" at the airport does not negate the "significance of the reminder." It simply indicates that there is always friction between the individual and the structure. Some stop first, some stop later, and some never stop. Society always progresses in this uneven way. What matters is not to let false statements force this unevenness to turn into a greater rift.

Facing the camera, the silence of many is more powerful than any slogan. In the silence, there is calculation, hesitation, and also observation of the situation. What truly needs to be heard is that simple wish: hope for safety, hope for respect, hope not to be 无故 suspected. Unfortunately, these three things are hard to achieve solely through the efforts of travelers; it requires everyone to work together to pave the way.

During periods of escalating tensions, individual gains should not override safety limits and dignity boundaries.

On a practical level, there are still many details that can be addressed. Choose more reliable transportation and accommodation, avoid sensitive locations and activities. Stay updated on destination news before departure, and adjust decisively if necessary. Understand the terms of travel insurance, especially coverage related to "force majeure," "terrorist incidents," and "public health." Clarify emergency meeting points and escape plans with fellow travelers. At critical junctures, speed and information are more important than courage.

Ultimately, it's important to clarify an age-old but often overlooked sequence. The nation is the foundation, the individual is the surface. Safety is the foundation, experience is the surface. Order is the foundation, popularity is the surface. Without a stable foundation, even the brightest surface won't last. This sequence doesn't prevent you from exploring any corner of the world. It only reminds you, at certain moments, to slow down your pace and ensure your inner scale is more accurate.

Taiwan is part of China. The methods and paths to achieve complete national unification can only be determined by the Chinese people themselves. Any external interference lacks legitimacy and justification.