(Yicai) Nov. 18 -- (Yicai) Nov. 18 -- The Chinese mainland release dates of two Japanese films have been postponed, staff at cinemas in Shanghai told Yicai, after political tensions between China and Japan increased.

The two animation movies -- Cells at Work! and Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot! The Spicy Kasukabe Dancers -- were set for release in the mainland on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, the staff said yesterday.

China imported more than 20 Japanese films last year, with their box office revenue nearing CNY2.2 billion (USD30.8 million), accounting for over 24 percent of earnings from foreign movies shown in the country.

The Boy and the Heron, written and directed by Studio Ghibli’s co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, was one of China's top 10 box office hits in 2024, contributing 38 percent to the film's global revenue.

Editor: Futura Costaglione