Beijing: China has suspended imports of Japanese seafood once again, deepening a worsening diplomatic row sparked by remarks from Japan’s Prime Minister about Taiwan.
The move marks the latest setback in the most strained period in China–Japan relations in years. The suspension was first reported by Kyodo News and NHK, and later reflected in comments from China’s foreign ministry, which said there was no market for Japanese seafood in the current climate.
The decision reverses a partial lifting of an earlier ban imposed in 2023 after Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Although Chinese officials said the latest halt was linked to additional monitoring of water sources, it has widely been viewed as part of Beijing’s retaliation over recent political tensions.
At a regular briefing, the foreign ministry said Japan had not provided promised technical documents related to the wastewater issue and noted strong public anger in China over recent comments made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Takaichi told Japan’s parliament earlier this month that Japan could be drawn into a military conflict if China attacked Taiwan, as such an event would threaten Japan’s security. Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring it under its control, by force if necessary.
The remarks sparked a fierce response from Beijing, which demanded that Takaichi withdraw her comments and accused her of issuing a military threat against China. Chinese officials also accused her of encouraging a revival of pre-war militarism. Takaichi has not retracted her statement, although Tokyo has insisted that Japan’s self-defence policy remains unchanged.
The dispute has grown rapidly. China has issued a travel warning for its citizens, prompting airlines to offer refunds and leading to the cancellation of an estimated half a million trips to Japan. Shares in Japanese tourism and retail companies tumbled as the impact became clear. Chinese state-owned firms, including major banks, have also instructed employees not to travel to Japan.
Beijing has taken several symbolic and economic steps as well. Chinese coastguard vessels sailed through waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, while military drones flew past Japan’s westernmost island of Yonaguni, located close to Taiwan’s coast. Cultural exchanges have also been affected, with Japanese film releases suspended and cross-cultural events cancelled.
China’s permanent representative to the United Nations added to the pressure, stating that Japan was not fit for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council due to Takaichi’s remarks.
Before China’s original seafood ban, the Chinese market accounted for more than one-fifth of Japan’s seafood exports. The renewed suspension is likely to cause significant economic strain for Japanese producers already hit by earlier restrictions.
