China will stop importing Japanese seafood, Japanese media reported, at a time when the two countries are in the midst of a diplomatic dispute after statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, Kyodo and Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
Beijing recently resumed purchasing these products. The previous ban was imposed after Japan began discharging wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2023.
The diplomatic crisis between China and Japan arose as a result of statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. On November 7, she said that a possible armed attack on Taiwan could justify sending Japanese troops to defend the island.
These statements are seen as a provocation by Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory.
Last week, China summoned the Japanese ambassador to protest and advised its citizens not to travel to Japan and those studying there to be cautious. The release of two Japanese films in China was also postponed after Takaichi's statements.
Japanese media cited anonymous government sources. A government source later confirmed that Beijing had informed Tokyo of the ban.
In 2023, shipments to mainland China accounted for only 15.6% of Japanese seafood exports, down from 22.5% in 2022.