Due to political standoff between China and Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands, tourism between this two countries have been stagnant. However last week 2,200 Chinese tourists visited Japan on a cruise ship operated by Costa Cruises.

This was the largest group visiting Japan since the political standoff escalated in September. Aldo they were warmly welcomed in Japan, the tourists were criticized by Chinese media as "traitors" and "putting personal pleasure ahead of national pride. However the passengers said they won't take the online criticism seriously.
Mainichi Shimbun newspaper reported that, Kumamoto government in Japan, organized warm reception to the Chinese, with students holding banners reading "welcome" in Chinese and the mayor was giving flowers to the tour representatives .

"Before we departed, we were worried about the intense relationship, fearing we'd be treated coldly in Japan. We never realized that while we enjoyed a great time in Japan, we were being criticized back in our home country. The trip was arranged three months ago, and when the standoff arose, we think about canceling the trip " said a businessman, who paid $2,240 to take his wife on their first cruise to Japan.

Image: rt.com