Key facts
- China and Japan are involved in a diplomatic feud.
- China has previously imposed official restrictions on tourism and trade with Japan.
- The Shanghai International Film Festival will not include any Japanese films in its lineup.
- This is the first time in 20 years that the festival has not featured Japanese films.
A diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Tokyo appears to have extended into the cultural sphere, with indications of an unofficial boycott targeting Japanese film, music, and books.
While China has officially implemented restrictions on tourism and trade with Japan since the dispute began in November, no formal ban on cultural imports has been announced. However, the Shanghai International Film Festival, commencing this Friday, will not feature any Japanese films, a departure from its programming for the past two decades.