China–Japan Tensions Rise Amid Reports of Seafood Import Suspension

China is expected to halt imports of Japanese seafood, according to multiple media reports in Tokyo on Wednesday, as diplomatic tensions escalate following comments made by Japan’s new prime minister regarding Taiwan. Neither government has formally confirmed the suspension, but the development marks a sharp deterioration in relations already strained by territorial disputes and political disagreements.

The dispute intensified after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on November 7 that Japan could consider military involvement if Taiwan were attacked. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, reacted strongly by summoning Japan’s ambassador, warning Chinese citizens about travel to Japan, and expressing deep dissatisfaction with Tokyo’s stance.

Reports by Japanese outlets, including NHK, said the suspension of seafood purchases was linked to China’s concerns over treated wastewater released from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. China had eased earlier restrictions only months ago, gradually resuming imports of certain marine products following a ban imposed after the 2023 start of the wastewater discharge.

The UN’s nuclear watchdog has repeatedly stated that the release—amounting to the equivalent of hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools of treated water collected since the 2011 disaster—meets international safety standards. Beijing has persisted with its criticism, accusing Tokyo of polluting the region and describing the Pacific as a “sewer.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stopped short of confirming the reported suspension, but said that demand for Japanese seafood in China had collapsed due to the current political climate. Japan’s top government spokesperson, Minaru Kihara, said Tokyo had not received any official notification from Beijing and emphasised the importance of upholding understandings reached between the two countries last year on seafood trade.

Japan exported 390 billion yen ($2.5 billion) in seafood in 2023, with mainland China accounting for 15.6 percent of those shipments. Hong Kong was the largest market at 26.1 percent, while the United States accounted for 15.7 percent.

The diplomatic fallout is extending into other sectors. Chinese state media have reported delays to at least two Japanese film releases in China. Travel has also been affected, with Chinese tourists—a critical segment for Japan’s tourism industry—canceling significant numbers of trips. Nearly 7.5 million Chinese visitors traveled to Japan in the first nine months of 2025, but travel agencies now report widespread cancellations.

One Shanghai travel manager told AFP that most customers were now requesting refunds for trips to Japan. Another said the situation could ease if political messaging softens, noting many Chinese have family ties in Japan.

Japan has advised its citizens in China to stay alert and avoid crowded places. Beijing said foreigners in the country would remain safe but added it had issued another formal protest over Takaichi’s remarks. Senior officials from both nations met in Beijing on Tuesday in an attempt to prevent the dispute from widening, though China reiterated its objections to Tokyo’s position on Taiwan during the talks.