Tensions are escalating between Japan and China. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson / Due to extremely erroneous remarks made by Prime Minister Takaichi, which hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and undermined the foundation and atmosphere for cooperation among China, Japan, and South Korea, the conditions for holding the relevant trilateral meeting are no longer met.

China revealed that the trilateral cultural ministers' meeting that was scheduled for November 24 in Macau has been postponed.

Tensions between Japan and China are escalating following Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s remarks related to Taiwan. The Chinese government has begun making personal attacks on Takaichi.

An animated video posted by the Chinese military on social media depicts Takaichi holding a bomb as she sinks along with a ship.

Other similar posts include illustrations of Takaichi burning a book labeled “Japan's Peace Constitution.” Another one depicts her trying to ignite a large number of bombs.

The Chinese military has posted videos mocking specific individuals in the past as well, including an animated video depicting Taiwan's Lai Ching-te as a parasite.

A Chinese government official has stated that Takaichi, who made statements about Taiwan immediately after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping, is not trustworthy.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te posted a photo of himself eating Japanese seafood to show support for Japan.

He wrote he had miso soup, Kagoshima amberjack sushi and Hokkaido scallop sushi for lunch. 

This also angered China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson / Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. No matter how much show Lai Ching-te puts on, this solid fact cannot be changed.

On November 19, China suddenly announced it would effectively halt imports of Japanese seafood. This has halted shipments of Hokkaido scallops and others, which had just resumed exports, before they could clear customs.

The Japanese government,Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru / We are currently continuing technical discussions with the Chinese side. We will urge the facilitation of exports while strongly demanding the lifting of import restrictions on seafood from the remaining 10 prefectures.

Regarding the import suspension,  the Japanese side has explained there was a procedural issue, implying it is not perceived as a political problem.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass spoke to reporters after meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass / China's provocative rhetoric and economic coercion in response to Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks are entirely unhelpful and undermine regional stability.

He pointed out that the Chinese government's de facto suspension of imports of Japanese seafood constitutes typical economic coercion and emphasized the US’s support for Japan.

China has cited Japan's “failure to provide technical documentation proving the quality and safety of its seafood” as a reason for the import suspension.

When asked at a press conference whether imports would resume if the technical documentation were provided...

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson / China's relevant departments will conduct scientific evaluations to ensure that Japanese seafood meets Chinese standards. / However, Japan’s leader has made erroneous remarks on major principle issues like Taiwan, provoking the anger of the Chinese people. Even if Japanese seafood is exported to China, there will be no buyers.

When asked how Chinese citizens think about this situation.

Chinese citizen / We support the government. We just won’t eat Japanese food. 

Chinese citizen / National interests are prioritized over personal interests when it comes to the greater good of the nation.

We visited a Japanese restaurant opening in China. Their fish tanks were empty.

Japanese restaurant owner / About half of our November and December reservations have been canceled. For example, a Japanese company wanted to host a meeting here for its Chinese counterpart, but the Chinese company wanted to cancel.

There have been numerous cancellations following Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. 

The halt in Japanese seafood imports that were supposed to arrive has further complicated the situation.

Japanese restaurant owner / Seafood from Japan's coastal waters is irreplaceable. The umami flavor is different. The suspension of Japanese seafood imports is extremely difficult, and we are not sure whether we can continue business  next year.

The G20 Summit begins on November 22. However, China has taken a hardline stance toward Japan, and has indicated it does not even plan to have brief meetings or casual conversations with the Japanese side.