Disputing With PM Takaichi, China Stops Importing The Sea Of Japan

JAKARTA - The Chinese government acknowledged the decision to again close the tap for importing aquatic products from Japan due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's statement about Taiwan.

"I need to reiterate because of PM Sanae Takaichi's outrageous and wrong actions regarding Taiwan and other key issues, there has been anger and strong criticism from the Chinese people. In the current situation, there will be no market for Japanese aquatic products even though the product enters China," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing. reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, November 19.

On November 7, 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi before Japan's parliament said the use of China's military force against Taiwan could "increase a situation that threatens Japan's survival" and insisted he would not withdraw the statement.

The statement is deemed to be able to encourage Japan to exercise collective martial arts rights if a condition is deemed "threatening survival", even though the Japanese Constitution rejects war.

This means that the Japanese government allows the Self-Defense Forces to act to support the United States if China imposes a maritime blockade on Taiwan or other forms of pressure.

China first banned imports of Japanese marine products in August 2023 in response to water disposal containing low levels of radioactive tritium from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The imports were partially opened on June 29, 2025, but only ran on November 5 when only three of the 697 registered companies were allowed to ship products.

Japan, said Mao Ning, is committed to fulfilling regulatory responsibilities in ensuring the quality and safety of its aquatic products exported to China.

"This is a prerequisite for China to import Japanese aquatic products, but so far Japan has not been able to provide technical material according to its commitments," added Mao Ning.

China's ban on imports of aquatic products is a major blow to Japan's seafood industry, especially the export of shells and sea cucumbers considering China is the largest overseas market for Japanese seafood.

According to Mao Ning, PM Takaichi's statement was an alarm that needed to be watched out for to revive militarism in Japan.

"Even though Japan is committed to its Constitution to 'while leaving war and threats or use of force as a way of resolving international disputes' and establishing defense-oriented principles exclusively. Together, they modified Japan's obligations as a losing country," said Mao Ning.

He also emphasized that historical tragedy should not be repeated and the international community must be vigilant and firmly thwart any attempt to revive militarism, jointly upholding the post-World War II international order and maintaining world peace.