Japanese-themed shopping area closed down after being labeled ‘cultural invasion’ by Chinese netizens

Feedback from online critics caused a Japan-themed shopping area in China’s Liaoning province to shut down less than two weeks after opening.

Alleged cultural invasion: Tang Little Kyoto, a commercial and residential complex in Dalian city offering a taste of Japanese culture, was ordered by local authorities to close on Monday, reported Nikkei.

The 29 shops that opened during the facility’s initial phase were forced to cease operations.
Japanese restaurants, Hokkaido and Hiroshima products retailers and an electronic store were among those affected by the suspension.
Tang Little Kyoto operator Dalian Shuyuan Group said the Dalian municipal government cited online backlash and COVID-19 as reasons for the temporary closure.
Weibo users dismissed the attraction as a “Japanese cultural invasion” for selling only Japanese products and for making the complex look like the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto.
Other critics questioned the inclusion of “Tang” in the site’s name as it only incorporated Japanese elements.
Some also highlighted that Dalian was once under Japanese occupation.
Users who defended the complex pointed out that other Chinese cities have also attracted Japanese companies.

A massive project halted: Tang Little Kyoto, which remains under construction in a 600,000-square meter (148-acre) property at a budget of 6 billion yuan ($928.5 million), is set to be completed in 2024.

Prior to the online backlash, the project received full support from the local government. Dalian’s mayor even attended the project’s signing ceremony in Tokyo back in 2019.
Before construction began, Dalian Shuyuan Group vice president Zhang Yang said the influence of China’s Tang dynasty on Heian-kyo (modern-day Kyoto) makes it popular among the Chinese.
While sales of Japanese-style villas on the site will continue, it remains unknown when the facility will be open again for business.

Featured Image via 株式会社JPM

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