How Japanese Scallops Became a Pawn in Diplomatic Tensions With China
The New York Times••nation
Key Points:
- A shipment of six tons of Hokkaido scallops from Japan to China was halted after Japan's prime minister expressed willingness to defend Taiwan, prompting China to reinstate a seafood ban.
- The scallop trade has become a symbolic and contentious issue in Japan-China relations, with Beijing using it as leverage and Japan's allies viewing consumption as resistance to economic coercion.
- For Japan, especially in Hokkaido where most scallops are harvested, the situation highlights the challenges of reducing economic dependence on China amid escalating political tensions.
- Seafood industry representatives in Hokkaido expressed frustration and confusion over being caught in geopolitical disputes, emphasizing the unexpected role of scallops in diplomatic conflicts.
