The releases of at least two popular Japanese films have been postponed in China as the countries are locked in a dispute over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan.
The delayed releases include Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers, as reported by Chinese state media CCTV.
Cinema tickets are still available for the hit Japanese animation Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, but sales have reportedly declined in recent days due to rising tensions.
Takaichi has been vocal in her criticism of China, mentioning earlier this month that Tokyo could resort to military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
Film distributors and importers have decided to postpone the releases after evaluating the sentiments towards Japanese films in China, CCTV stated on Monday.
The animation Crayon Shin-chan centers around the comedic escapades of a young boy, while Cells at Work!, based on a popular manga, depicts human blood cells in a battle against viruses.
CCTV's announcement did not specify the duration of the delays.
In response to Takaichi's comments, the state-controlled media outlet reported escalating dissatisfaction among Chinese audiences towards Japanese films.
Beijing has advised its citizens to refrain from travel to Japan and urged students to rethink studying there, highlighting safety concerns amid the current diplomatic climate.
As the situation develops, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has been caught in the crossfire, experiencing a decline in ticket sales as audience reaction to Japan's political stance grows increasingly critical.
