This week’s Shanghai film festival doesn’t include any movies from Japan – the latest sign of an unofficial boycott
3-MIN READ3-MIN ListenLaura ZhouPublished: 2:17pm, 8 Jun 2026A diplomatic feud between Beijing and Tokyo appears to have spilled over to the arts, with what looks like an unofficial boycott on Japanese film, music and books.China has slapped official restrictions on tourism and trade with Japan since the row erupted in November, but so far there has been no official ban on the cultural sector.
However, the Shanghai International Film Festival, which begins this Friday, does not have any Japanese films on its line-up for the first time in 20 years.
It comes after the Beijing International Film Festival, held in April, also dropped its programme of Japanese movies.
Japanese PM ‘open’ to talks with ChinaAn arts worker in Shanghai said she was disappointed there was nothing from Japan at this year’s film festival but that it was “not entirely surprising”.
