Japanese-Chinese Businessman Says Family Was Barred From Leaving China

A self-described Japanese-Chinese entrepreneur has sparked widespread discussion among netizens after claiming that he and his family were prevented from leaving China following a visit to relatives, allegedly resulting in the loss of his Japanese citizenship, a 10-year exit ban, and the suspension of his business operations in Japan. He says the family was also forced to restore their Chinese citizenship.

The account, shared on Aug. 2 by X user, “罗翔——破幕推墙,” quickly drew hundreds of thousands of views. The story has fueled new concerns over China’s expanding use of exit restrictions and nationality-related enforcement to restrict citizens’ ability to travel abroad and maintain ties outside the country.

According to the post, the businessman said he immigrated to Japan 13 years ago and had operated businesses there for more than two decades. He claimed his family of five returned to China on July 2 to visit relatives and attempted to fly back to Japan later that month.

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Barred from boarding flight

Just minutes before boarding, he said authorities prevented the family from leaving the country. The businessman said they were subsequently held for seven days in what he described as a “black room,” where family members were interrogated separately. He claimed officials pressured him to sign a recorded statement declaring that he was “voluntarily relinquishing” his Japanese citizenship and restoring his Chinese nationality.

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According to the post, officials warned that refusing to cooperate could have “severe consequences” for his children. He further claimed that his bank accounts and digital payment services became inaccessible and that online travel platforms instructed him to register with local police. After doing so, he said he was informed that he would be prohibited from leaving China until 2036.

The businessman estimated that his companies in Japan employed more than 40 people and that approximately 80 million yuan (about USD $11 million) in assets had effectively been frozen by his inability to return. “I never imagined something like this would happen to me,” he wrote, adding that he had previously viewed similar cases as isolated news stories.

The allegations prompted a slew of online chatter, with many users urging overseas Chinese who have obtained foreign citizenship to formally complete all legal procedures related to renouncing Chinese nationality rather than relying on older Chinese identity documents when traveling.

Others questioned whether foreign consular assistance would be available in situations where Chinese authorities determine an individual to be a Chinese national under domestic law.

China formalizes exit and entry rules

The discussion comes just days after Beijing announced new regulations governing entry and exit administration. According to state media, China’s State Council issued revised regulations on July 31 that will take effect on September 15. The rules address areas including overseas security advisories, exit applications, circumstances under which individuals may be barred from entering or leaving the country, and registration requirements for immigration service providers.

Legal observers noted that while some provisions, such as registration requirements for immigration agencies, introduce new administrative measures, many others largely codify practices that rights groups and overseas Chinese have long said were already being implemented.

In recent years, numerous reports have described increasing restrictions on overseas travel for certain groups within China. Government employees, teachers, and state-owned enterprise personnel have reported being required to surrender passports to their employers, with overseas travel subject to prior approval.

Some clergy affiliated with China’s state-recognized Catholic organizations have also reportedly been instructed to place their passports under centralized management before traveling abroad. Accounts published by overseas Chinese media have also suggested that similar practices have expanded into parts of the general population in provinces including Gansu, Guizhou, and Yunnan.

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Several individuals have also claimed they were contacted by police or neighborhood officials after booking international flights and questioned about the purpose of their travel, destination, employment, and family ties overseas. Others have reported being asked to temporarily surrender passports without receiving written legal documentation explaining the duration or legal basis for the measure.

Human rights concerns

The alleged incident involving the businessman and his family has renewed debate over China’s use of exit controls, particularly as they affect citizens, dual-nationality disputes, and members of the Chinese diaspora. International human rights organizations have long argued that freedom of movement, including the right to leave one’s own country and return, is a fundamental human right recognized under international human rights standards.

While Chinese authorities maintain that exit restrictions are imposed in accordance with domestic law and national security considerations, critics argue that the growing use of travel controls and passport restrictions has contributed to increased uncertainty for both Chinese citizens and overseas Chinese returning to visit family.

The story has resonated widely among overseas Chinese communities, many of whom say it underscores the legal and practical complexities surrounding citizenship, exit controls, and cross-border travel to mainland China.