A popular Japanese restaurant in Beijing, "Crossroads," is facing significant economic hardship. Struggling with customer retention due to various factors, including fluctuating diplomatic relations and COVID-19, the restaurant owner expresses the challenges being faced. Local businesses, the restaurant industry, and economy of the area are being put to the test.

Japanese businesses, especially restaurants, in China can find themselves caught up in the larger geopolitical issues between China and Japan. This tends to affect their performance, particularly in times of tensions. In Japan, the wellbeing of such businesses reflects Japan's economic influence abroad and is a cause of concern for both the government and the public.

Like in Japan, businesses in the US and EU are equally prone to the impacts of local and international politics, changes in market dynamics, and global crises. Business owners may have to shift their operations or strategies, struggle with financial decline, or even face closure due to these factors.