China Bans All Japanese Seafood Imports in Response to Water Release

On August 24, 2023, the same day Japan began ocean discharge, China's General Administration of Customs announced a complete ban on all seafood imports from Japan, citing 'food safety concerns.' The ban was a major economic blow; China had been Japan's largest seafood export market, accounting for roughly ¥88 billion ($600M) annually. Japan protested the ban as scientifically unjustified and politically motivated. PM Kishida pledged government support for affected fishermen. Following diplomatic negotiations, Japan and China reached a deal in September 2024 establishing a new monitoring and verification framework, leading to China lifting the near-total ban on June 30, 2025. Partial restrictions remain on seafood from Fukushima and 9 other prefectures pending further verification.