China Halts Japanese Seafood Imports

(MENAFN) China has decided to suspend imports of seafood from Japan following a diplomatic dispute sparked by remarks from the Japanese prime minister concerning Taiwan, which provoked strong criticism in Beijing, according to local reports on Wednesday.

Beijing has officially notified Tokyo about the halt in Japanese seafood imports, a news agency reported, citing government insiders.

This move comes just days after Japanese Farm Minister Norikazu Suzuki announced that Japan had restarted seafood shipments to China for the first time since Beijing imposed a comprehensive ban in 2023 due to the discharge of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear facility.

Earlier in June, China had stated it would partially lift the restrictions after Japan assured the safety and quality of its seafood exports. Nonetheless, limitations remain on products originating from 10 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, including Fukushima.

Diplomatic friction between the nations intensified after Premier Sanae Takaichi commented on Nov. 7 that any Chinese military measures against Taiwan, such as a naval blockade, could constitute a "survival-threatening situation," allowing Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense.

Beijing strongly condemned her remarks and urged Tokyo to retract the statement.

Following this, Chinese Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, also posted on the social media platform X that he would "cut a dirty neck without a moment of hesitation," prompting a formal protest from Tokyo.

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