Beijing, Nov. 15 -- Chinese authorities have urged their nationals to avoid travelling to Japan for now, saying recent comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan have created security risks for Chinese citizens, NHK World reported.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a late-night advisory on Friday, claiming that Takaichi's remarks had "damaged the atmosphere of mutual exchanges" and that the "lives and physical safety of Chinese nationals in Japan" could be at risk. It asked citizens already in Japan to remain alert to local security conditions.

The move has triggered fresh concerns over tourism and exchange programmes between the two neighbours. Japan's National Tourism Organisation said 7.48 million Chinese travellers v...