China will suspend seafood import activities involving Japanese products as a diplomatic dispute triggered by comments related to Taiwan continues to escalate.

The controversy was sparked when newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on November 7 that Tokyo might intervene militarily in the event of any attack on Taiwan.

China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, reacted strongly.

Beijing summoned Japan's ambassador, advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan, and warned Chinese students in Japan to stay safe.

According to state media reports, the release of at least two Japanese films in China will also be delayed.

Japanese media, including public broadcaster NHK, cited unnamed government sources in reporting the suspension of seafood import operations.

According to NHK, China explained that the move was aimed at monitoring the treated wastewater discharged from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Beijing has not yet issued an immediate official response.

China previously banned seafood imports from Japan after Fukushima began leaking water in 2023, and only recently resumed such seafood import activities.

The discharge had been endorsed by the UN nuclear agency, and plant operator TEPCO stated that all radioactive elements except tritium had been filtered out, and that tritium levels remained within safe limits.

But Beijing accused Japan of turning the Pacific Ocean into a “sewer” and again prohibited seafood import from Japan.

Russia later followed suit.

In 2023, exports of seafood to mainland China accounted for 15.6% of the total of ¥390 billion (US$2.5 billion), down from 22.5% in 2022.

Hong Kong accounted for 26.1% in 2023, and the United States 15.7%.

AFP contacted Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, which oversees the Fisheries Agency, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but both ministries declined to comment immediately.

“Strong Protest”

Relations between China and Japan—major trading partners—have grown tense in recent years due to territorial disputes and rising military spending.

On Monday, Japan urged its citizens in China to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid crowded areas.

Beijing vowed on Tuesday to “protect” the safety of foreigners in China, but said it had lodged another “strong protest” with Tokyo over Takaichi's remarks.

To help ease the tensions, Japan's top Asia-Pacific official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Masaaki Kanai, held talks in Beijing on Tuesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Liu Jinsong.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “During the consultations, the Chinese side again lodged a strong protest with Japan over Takaichi's ‘erroneous remarks.'”

Mao added that “Takaichi's fallacies seriously violate international law and the basic norms of international relations,” and said the prime minister's comments “fundamentally undermine the political foundation of China–Japan relations.”