China has announced a suspension of Japanese seafood imports, escalating tensions after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could take military action if China attacks Taiwan.

Beijing cited concerns over treated Fukushima wastewater but framed the move as a response to Takaichi’s comments, calling them damaging to China-Japan relations.

The dispute has prompted travel warnings, diplomatic summoning, and heightened rhetoric, including threats of severe consequences from China if Japan intervenes militarily.

The tensions coincide with Chinese coast guard maneuvers near disputed East China Sea islands and provocative drone flights near Japan, further straining regional security, ABC News has reported.

The fallout is affecting Japan economically, particularly in tourism and retail, while the U.S. has weighed in, urging de-escalation without directly challenging China’s claims on Taiwan.