Organizers of Mega Fans Expo 2026, which was positioned as the first major adult entertainment event in Hong Kong, announced the cancellation of the event after approximately thirty Japanese artists were denied entry to the region.
The cancellation was reported on Wednesday, less than 48 hours before the exhibition was set to take place from Friday to Sunday at the Regal Airport hotel. In a brief statement, the organizers did not specify the reasons for the decision, only stating that information regarding ticket refunds would be published soon through official channels.
The decision was made after most actors from Japan's adult industry were detained upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport. Actress Hibiki Otsuki, one of the main stars of the event, told social media that although she managed to enter the city, her representative, technical team, and the rest of her accompanying group were not admitted and were forced to return to Japan despite having obtained prior permits.
Otsuki described the situation as 'extremely chaotic' and expressed surprise, stating: 'This is the first time this has happened to me. I was surprised. Of course, nobody did anything bad,' promising to provide more detailed explanations after returning to Japan. Another actress, Rena Miyashita, noted that the entire group looked as if they were facing forced repatriation, while veteran Yui Hatano, appointed as the event host, confirmed her return to Japan and apologized to fans for the situation.
The cancellation led to a dead end for thousands of attendees who had purchased tickets and exclusive packages, including fingerprinting sessions ranging from 2380 to 2580 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 274–297 euros), as well as personal meetings with the artists.
According to the immigration laws of the former British colony, foreigners with a visitor visa are prohibited from engaging in any paid or unpaid employment activities. Therefore, participation in commercial events or public appearances usually requires a work visa or a special permit obtained before the trip.
Regional immigration authorities often emphasize that having a preliminary visa does not guarantee automatic entry into the territory, as border agents review each case individually to ensure that the true purpose of the stay aligns with the current admission conditions.
The event cancellation occurs against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between China and Japan, which have continued since November 2025. At that time, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in the Tokyo parliament that a potential attack by China on Taiwan could justify intervention by the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Beijing responded with diplomatic protests, recommendations to its citizens to avoid travel to the archipelago, and the imposition of trade restrictions.
In the neighboring Chinese region of Macau, a South Korean television channel, MBC, which organized a South Korean music festival featuring groups with Japanese artists, cancelled the event at the end of January 2026. MBC provided no explanation, stating only that the decision was made 'after comprehensive analysis of local circumstances and general logistical conditions.' Even before the official announcement by MBC, South Korean press had already raised the issue of a possible cancellation due to alleged difficulties Japanese artists faced in obtaining visas to perform in Macau. At that time, the Macao Public Security Police (PSP) refuted Lusa reports of visa denials for Japanese artists, stating that it had received 'no' official requests.
