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, Chinese state media CCTV reported.
Cinema tickets are still available in China for the hit Japanese animation Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, the BBC has confirmed, though CCTV noted that sales had fallen as the row deepened.
Takaichi, a vocal critic of China, suggested earlier this month that military action could be considered if Beijing were to attack Taiwan.
Film distributors in China have opted to postpone the releases after assessing the market situation and public sentiment. Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers was originally set to be released shortly.
Details on how long the postponement will last have not been disclosed by authorities.
The state-run media reported that Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has faced strong dissatisfaction among Chinese audiences following Takaichi's controversial statements, which included mentioning a possible military conflict.
Chinese officials have been proactive in their response, advising citizens to avoid travel to Japan and reconsider educational opportunities there due to purported safety concerns.
Takaichi's comments were pronounced in the Japanese parliament on 7 November: If there are battleships and the use of force, no matter how you think about it, it could constitute a survival-threatening situation. This escalated the diplomatic friction between the two nations.
The tension has impacted Japanese tourism and associated industries, with significant declines noted in tourism-related stocks following China's response.
China maintains its claim over Taiwan, viewing it as a breakaway province poised to return to national governance, while many Taiwanese see themselves as a distinct entity, supporting maintaining the current political status quo.
