Chinese cruise ships look to steer clear of Japan amid diplomatic dispute

Chinese cruise operators are scrambling to avoid Japanese ports as Beijing and Tokyo engage in a diplomatic dispute, which is expected to spur demand for tourism in South Korea, according to sources and cruise schedules reviewed by Reuters.



Tour and port agents said tensions, sparked by recent remarks from Japan's new prime minister, could cause Chinese tourists to be redirected to South Korea from Japan. Earlier this month, Sanae Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response.



Adora Magic City, a Chinese cruise ship that travels to South Korea's touristy island of Jeju as well as Japan, has changed its schedule for December to avoid stopping at the Japanese ports of Fukuoka, Sasebo and Nagasaki as planned, according to a notice posted on the government website of South Korea's Jeju province.



The cruise ship would instead spend 31 to 57 hours in Jeju, longer than its usual schedule of nine hours, the notice said.



An official from Jeju province said the cruise operator requested a change in schedule without providing a reason.



"We suspect that's because of China-Japan relations," said the official, who declined to be identified as he was not authorised to speak to the media.