Is a China Layover to Japan too risky for June 2026?

​Hi everyone, ​I was planning a trip from Spain (BCN) to Japan this June and I’m torn between two flight options.

​Option A (The Budget Choice): Flying with a Chinese airline (Air China/China Eastern) with a layover in Shanghai/Beijing. This is significantly cheaper.

​Option B (The Safe Choice): Flying via a European hub (Lufthansa/Finnair) or direct from Madrid with Iberia. This costs €300 more per person.

​I’ve been following the recent news from March 2026 regarding the mass flight cancellations and the "weaponized tourism" situation between China and Japan.

I’m worried that if I book Option A, my second leg (China to Japan) might get cancelled last minute, leaving me stranded or forced to buy an expensive last-minute ticket.

​Is anyone currently traveling this route? How is the reliability of the China-Japan connection this month?

​Given the €300 price gap, would you take the risk or is the "peace of mind" of a European/Japanese airline worth the extra money right now?

Is it generally "risky" to be traveling internationally right now with everything going on (US-Iran tensions, China-Japan trade war, etc.), or am I overthinking it? Should I forget to travel for a long time?