"Today's Lunch is Japanese Sushi"—Taiwanese President's Move Seen as a Provocation to China Amid Seafood Boycott Tensions

[Financial News] Tensions are rising between China and Japan as the Chinese government, in response to remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, has once again suspended imports of Japanese seafood. Amid this standoff, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te posted a photo of himself eating Japanese seafood, indirectly expressing support for Japan.
On the 19th, President Lai shared a photo of himself eating sushi on his social networking service (SNS), writing, "Today's lunch was sushi and miso soup," and included hashtags such as 'Kagoshima amberjack' and 'Hokkaido scallops.'
This gesture is interpreted as both a show of support for Prime Minister Takaichi, who is under pressure from China over her comments on Taiwan, and an emphasis on solidarity with Japan. On the 17th, President Lai also criticized China, stating, "China's hybrid attacks on Japan are delivering a serious blow to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."
On the 19th, China reportedly notified Japan that it would again suspend imports of Japanese seafood. This move is seen as a retaliatory measure following Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks on the 7th, suggesting that Japan could exercise collective self-defense in the event of a Taiwan contingency.
China had already imposed a total ban on Japanese seafood imports in August last year, citing the release of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. After partially resuming imports following a Japan-China summit on the 5th of this month, China is now considering a renewed full suspension in response to Prime Minister Takaichi's latest statements.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter