Beijing has halted all imports of seafood from Japan, reinstating a comprehensive ban first imposed in 2023. The move is widely seen as a direct economic and diplomatic response to recent comments by Japan’s leadership concerning Taiwan.
The decision was communicated to Japanese authorities and confirmed by official statements citing a failure to provide necessary technical documentation and a hostile climate for Japanese products. Officials emphasized that due to recent actions by the Japanese side, there is currently no market in China for such imports.
This escalation follows statements made earlier this month by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested that a military attack on Taiwan could constitute a threat to Japan’s existence, potentially triggering a military response under Japan’s collective self-defense laws. Beijing, which views Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory, condemned the remarks as a serious provocation and a breach of the fundamental understanding between the two nations.
The reinstated seafood ban represents a significant economic measure. Prior to the initial 2023 ban, the Chinese market was a major destination for Japanese seafood exports. The dispute has rapidly expanded beyond trade. In recent days, China has issued travel advisories for Japan, leading to widespread flight cancellations, and has taken a series of actions including the suspension of cultural exchanges and heightened military and coastguard activity near disputed maritime areas.
Diplomatic efforts to lower tensions, including a visit by a senior Japanese official to Beijing, have so far yielded no public breakthrough. The situation marks one of the most severe downturns in Sino-Japanese relations in recent years.