Influenced by the Sino-Japanese relations, underground idol performances in Shanghai, where otaku culture thrives, are facing increasing restrictions when it comes to singing Japanese songs.
According to a report from Japan’s Kyodo News on August 20, sources within the industry indicated that this could be a measure speculated by local authorities in response to the Chinese Communist Party’s policies towards Japan.
In China, live performances require submitting song titles and lyrics to relevant authorities in advance for content review and approval. Since July, some applications for performing cover songs of Japanese idol or anime songs have been rejected or canceled.
Sources revealed that since July, local authorities in various districts of Shanghai have orally instructed that singing songs with Japanese lyrics on stage is prohibited.
Influenced by Japanese otaku culture and anime culture, the underground idol industry in China has been rapidly growing. Data shows that by 2025 and 2026, there were over 250 underground idol groups active in major cities across China. Many of these groups mostly perform Japanese pop songs and anime theme songs on stage in a style closely resembling that of Japanese idols.
Following Prime Minister Naomi Takamichi’s defense of Taiwan in the Japanese Parliament last November, Sino-Japanese relations quickly deteriorated. Subsequently, performances by Japanese artists in China were successively canceled. Some underground idol groups had to replace their setlists with Chinese songs.
Sources admitted that while before, Chinese singers could substitute for canceled Japanese performers at concerts, now even that has become difficult to achieve.
The report noted that with the worsening of Sino-Japanese relations, restrictions on activities like dressing up as Japanese anime characters have also emerged in China, leading to continued struggles for otaku enthusiasts.