China to suspend imports of Japanese seafood amid diplomatic row: Reports

"But the ban comes amid a deepening crisis in relations between Beijing and Tokyo over remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The premier told parliament on November 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan, which threatened Japan's survival, was one of the few cases that could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Takaichi's comments were met with a wave of criticism by Chinese officials and state media, prompting Japan to warn its citizens in China to take safety precautions and avoid crowded places."

"In a post on X following Takaichi's comments, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Xue Jian, threatened to cut off that dirty neck, apparently referring to the Japanese prime minister. Tokyo said it had summoned the Chinese ambassador over the now-deleted social media post. Beijing has also advised Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan and demanded that Takaichi retract her remarks, though Tokyo said they were in line with the government's position."

China reimposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports after briefly lifting restrictions earlier this month; the original 2023 measures followed release of treated Fukushima water. Kyodo News and NHK reported that Beijing cited the need for further monitoring of water released from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean as justification for the reimposition. The ban coincided with a sharp deterioration in Japan–China relations after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could prompt a military response. Chinese officials and state media criticized the remarks, Beijing urged citizens to avoid travel to Japan, and Japan summoned the Chinese ambassador. Japanese officials pursued talks in Beijing to defuse tensions.

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