China said it has informed Japan of its decision to ban all imports of Japanese seafood, reported several media outlets, amid an escalating diplomatic dispute between the two Asian economies.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, is reported to have told reporters at a press conference: “Under the current circumstances, even if Japanese seafood were to be exported to China, it would find no market,” before adding that if Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, did not retract her remarks on China, they would have to take “stern and resolute” countermeasures.
Tensions between the two countries arose after Takaichi said earlier this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Japan, prompting China to demand that she retract the remarks while also urging its citizens to not travel to Japan.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara told the press that Tokyo had not received any notification from the Chinese government about a ban of seafood.
It was only a few months ago that Beijing had partially eased restrictions on Japanese seafood that had been imposed due to health concerns arising from Tokyo’s release of treated wastewater from its Fukushima power plant. The plant had suffered massive leaks in 2011 following an earthquake and a tsunami.
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In June, China had said it would resume importing Japanese seafood products from all but 10 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, which led to nearly 700 Japanese exporters apply to re-register for shipments to China, a market that accounted for more than a fifth of all Japan’s seafood exports.
While China said it re-imposed the ban due to the need for further monitoring of the water release, it is being seen as continued deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries after Takaichi’s comments, although Tokyo has maintained their Prime Minister’s remarks in parliament are in line with the government’s position.
China’s travel boycott could also affect Japan’s shaky economy, especially since tourism has been a major driver of growth for the Asian nation in recent years. Visitors from mainland China and Hong Kong account for around a fifth of all arrivals, official figures show.
There has also been a spate of cancellations of other events that involved Japanese and Chinese collaborations, including an annual meeting of academics from both countries in Beijing, an event promoting Japan-China friendship, and performances by Japanese comedians at an upcoming festival in Shanghai.
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