Japanese seafood caught in escalating spat with China
China has informed Japan that it will ban all imports of Japanese seafood, in what appears to be the latest salvo in an escalating diplomatic dispute between Asia’s two largest economies.
Tensions between the two countries flared after new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in early November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response that would threaten Japan’s existence.
China demanded that he retract his remarks and urged its citizens not to travel to Japan; This will result in mass cancellations that could deal a major blow to the world’s fourth-largest economy.
Asked about the reports, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Mao Ning said: “Under current conditions, Japanese seafood products cannot find a market even if exported to China.”
He reiterated on Wednesday that China would have to take “firm and decisive” countermeasures if Takaichi did not retract his remarks.
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, told reporters that Tokyo had not received any notification from the Chinese government regarding the seafood ban.
Only months ago, Beijing partially eased restrictions on Japanese seafood due to Tokyo’s decision two years ago to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima power plant, site of the 2011 nuclear meltdown following a massive earthquake and tsunami.
China told Japan that the reimposition of the ban was due to the need for greater monitoring of water emissions, public broadcaster NHK and Kyodo news agency reported, citing sources.
Facing harsh reactions targeting Takaichi from a Chinese diplomat in Japan and Chinese state media, Japan warned its citizens in China on Monday to increase security measures and avoid crowded places.
Tokyo said Takaichi’s statements in parliament were in line with the government’s stance and suggested that a breakthrough would not happen soon.
China announced in June that it would continue importing Japanese seafood from all but 10 of Japan’s 47 prefectures.
The reintroduction would be a painful blow to many companies seeking to re-enter a market that previously accounted for more than a fifth of Japan’s seafood exports.
More immediately, China’s travel boycott could have far-reaching consequences for Japan’s shaky economy.
Tourism accounts for seven percent of Japan’s gross domestic product, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, and has been a major driver of growth in recent years.
More than 10 Chinese airlines have offered refunds on routes to Japan through December 31, while one airline analyst estimates that around 500,000 tickets have already been cancelled.
China’s foreign ministry said the annual meeting of academics from both countries, which was to start on Saturday in Beijing, was postponed, citing political negativities.
Another event promoting Japan-China friendship, scheduled for November 21 in Hiroshima, Japan, was also canceled.
Japanese artists were also outraged.
Japanese comedians’ performances at a festival in Shanghai were canceled and screenings of upcoming Japanese films in China were also suspended.
