China Halts Japanese Seafood Imports Amid Diplomatic Row
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China has reimposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports, heightening diplomatic tensions following contentious remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
On Nov. 19, Japanese government officials said Beijing had formally notified Tokyo of the renewed suspension, according to Kyodo News. The announcement came just weeks after Japan briefly resumed shipments, with a batch of scallops arriving in early November — ending a nearly two-year hiatus.
The ban is the latest response to Takaichi’s recent comments hinting at possible Japanese involvement in a cross-Strait military conflict. Beijing viewed the remarks as a provocation.
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- China reimposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports, citing diplomatic tensions after Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s provocative remarks on a potential cross-Strait conflict.
- China maintains Japan hasn’t provided adequate food safety documentation; the ban follows previous actions taken after Fukushima wastewater discharge in 2023.
- China also issued travel warnings to Japan, postponed Japanese film releases, and lodged a formal diplomatic protest demanding retraction of Takaichi’s statements.
- Aug. 24, 2023：
- China’s customs authority initially banned all Japanese seafood imports after Japan began discharging treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.
- June 29, 2025：
- After rounds of negotiations, China conditionally lifted the ban on Japanese seafood imports, allowing limited shipments from designated regions.
- Early November 2025：
- Japan briefly resumed seafood shipments to China, with a batch of scallops arriving and ending a nearly two-year hiatus.
- Nov. 14, 2025：
- China’s foreign ministry and diplomatic missions in Japan issued a travel warning advising Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Japan. Several Chinese airlines offered free ticket changes and refunds; release of Japanese films in China was postponed.
- Nov. 18, 2025：
- Liu Jinsong, head of China’s foreign ministry’s Department of Asian Affairs, met in Beijing with Kimimasa Kanai, his counterpart from Japan, and lodged a formal protest over Japanese PM Takaichi’s remarks.
- Nov. 19, 2025：
- Chinese government formally notified Japan of the renewed suspension (ban) on Japanese seafood imports; Chinese officials explained the reasons at a press briefing.
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