New Delhi, – China has once again stopped all imports of fish and seafood from Japan. This time the reason is anger over comments made by Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan. Chinese people and leaders are very upset because she said Japan might have to fight if China attacks Taiwan.
The ban started on November 19. Chinese officials told Japan that they are stopping everything because of “public anger” in China. A top Chinese spokesperson Mao Ning said, “Right now, even if Japanese seafood comes to China, nobody will buy it. There is no market for it.”
This is the second time China has done this. In 2023, China banned Japanese seafood because Japan started releasing treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. China called it dangerous. They lifted the ban slowly this year, but now it is back – and stricter than before.
Before the first ban, China used to buy more than 20-25% of all Japanese fish, scallops, sea cucumber and other sea food. It was worth billions of rupees every year. Japanese fishermen were just starting to sell again, but now they are stuck.
Why Did This Happen? The Taiwan Fight Explained in Simple Words
Taiwan is an island near China. China says Taiwan belongs to them and one day they will take it back, even by force if needed. But Taiwan says it is a separate country with its own government and army.
Japan is very close to Taiwan – just a few hundred kilometres away. Many ships and planes from Japan pass near Taiwan. If fighting starts there, it can hurt Japan badly.
Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is the first woman PM of Japan. On November 7, she told her parliament that if China attacks Taiwan and it becomes a big danger to Japan’s life and safety, then Japan can join the fight under their law. This is called “collective self-defence”.
China got very angry. They called her words “wrong and dangerous”. Chinese foreign ministry said these comments hurt the base of good relations between China and Japan. They warned Japan to take back the words, or China will take strong steps.
Mao Ning said, “Japan must correct its mistake right now, or China will have to take tough actions. Japan will have to face all the results.”
China has already sent coast guard ships near islands that both countries claim. They also flew drones near Japan’s small islands close to Taiwan.
Good News for India – Our Shrimp and Fish Can Fill the Gap
China eats a lot of seafood. Now that Japanese products are out, Chinese buyers will look for other countries. India is ready!
India is one of the biggest exporters of shrimp (prawns) in the world. We send frozen shrimp, fish and crab to many countries. China already buys from us, but now demand can go up a lot.
On November 19 and 20, shares of Indian seafood companies jumped high:
- Avanti Feeds (big shrimp feed and export company from Telangana) – up almost 10-11%
- Apex Frozen Foods (Andhra Pradesh) – up 8-12%
- Waterbase Ltd – up 7%
- Coastal Corporation – up 5-6%
Brokers and experts say this ban is a golden chance for Indian farmers and companies.
A top person from Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) said (off record to reporters), “China’s big market is opening more for us. Our shrimp is good quality and cheaper than many others. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu farmers will earn extra money this year.”
Andhra Pradesh is the shrimp king of India – more than 60% of India’s shrimp comes from here. Gujarat has big fish processing plants near Veraval and Porbandar. These two states will get the biggest benefit. Thousands of farmers, workers in cold storage and truck drivers will see more work and money.
One shrimp farmer from Nellore in Andhra told a TV channel, “Last year prices were low because of US problems. Now China ban on Japan is like rain in drought for us. Hope prices go up 20-30% soon.”
Past Story – China Did This Before and India Gained
This is not new. In 2023 when China first banned Japanese seafood over Fukushima water, Indian shrimp exports to China went up by 25-30% in just a few months. Many Japanese buyers also shifted to India, Vietnam and Ecuador.
Now the same thing can happen again, but bigger. India exported seafood worth more than Rs 60,000 crore last year. China is not our biggest buyer (USA is), but it is growing fast.
What Experts and Leaders Are Saying
- Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on November 20: “Trade between China and Japan is badly hurt because of wrong words on Taiwan. Japan must fix this.”
- Japanese Agriculture Minister said: “We are worried. Many fishermen were waiting to sell to China again.”
- An Indian export expert Rajesh Gupta told Business Today: “This is overnight boost for us. Stocks jumped because market knows China will need 1-2 lakh tonne extra shrimp and fish every year. India can supply half of that easily.”
- PM Modi’s office has not said anything yet, but Commerce Ministry people are happy. They say “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” is helping our farmers compete globally.
Will This Start a Big Trade War?
Maybe not full war, but things are hot. China has also told people not to travel to Japan. Many Chinese tourists cancelled trips. Some Japanese movies and shows are stopped in China.
Japan says they will talk to China and calm things down. But PM Takaichi said her words are same as old Japan policy – no change.
USA is watching closely because America also promises to protect Taiwan. If Japan joins, it means bigger team against China.
Simple Tips for Indian Seafood Farmers and Companies
- Get your farms and factories ready fast – China wants good quality and quick supply.
- Check papers and certificates – China is strict on safety.
- Talk to MPEDA for help and new buyers.
- Prices may go up soon – good time to sell stock.
This China-Japan fight is bad for them, but very good for Indian fishermen and farmers. From Andhra coast to Gujarat ports, people are smiling today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did China suddenly ban all Japanese seafood now?
China is angry because Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in parliament that if China attacks Taiwan and it becomes danger to Japan’s safety, Japan can send army to help. China says Taiwan is part of China, so nobody should talk about fighting for it. They call her words wrong and dangerous. So they stopped buying Japanese fish to punish Japan.
2. Is this a new ban or same as 2023 one?
It is the same style, but new reason. In 2023, ban was because of Fukushima water released in sea. China said water is dirty and fish unsafe. They lifted ban slowly in 2025, but now because of Taiwan talk, full ban is back. Chinese spokesperson said “people in China are so angry, nobody will buy Japanese fish even if allowed.”
3. How much money did Japan lose because of this?
Before 2023, China bought more than 20-25% of all Japanese seafood – worth Rs 15,000-20,000 crore every year. Premium items like scallops, sea cucumber were mostly sold to China. Japanese fishermen are very upset. First shipment after lifting ban was just few weeks ago – now stopped.
4. How will India benefit exactly? Which states and companies?
China will need new suppliers fast. India is top shrimp exporter in world. Our black tiger and vannamei shrimp is loved in China. Exports can go up 20-40% to China.
Big states:
- Andhra Pradesh (60% of India shrimp) – Nellore, West Godavari farmers happy.
- Gujarat – Veraval, Porbandar processing units.
- Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal also gain.
Companies whose shares jumped: Avanti Feeds, Apex Frozen, Zeal Aqua, Waterbase – all up 5-12% in 2 days.
5. Did Indian companies really gain money from this ban?
Yes! On November 19-20, shares rose sharply because brokers said “China will buy more from India now”. Many exporters already getting calls from Chinese buyers. In 2023 same thing happened – India filled Japan gap and earned extra Rs 5000 crore.
6. Can this ban become permanent? What if China and Japan become friends again?
Possible but not soon. China said Japan must take back words on Taiwan. Japan says no – it is our policy. So ban can stay many months or years. Even if lifted, Chinese people may boycott Japanese fish because of anger.
7. Is Indian seafood safe and better than Japanese?
Yes! Our shrimp farms follow strict rules. We have EU and US approval which is very hard. Price is lower than Japan but quality high. China already buys a lot from India, Ecuador, Vietnam.
8. What should small farmers do now to earn more?
- Join good companies or co-operatives.
- Get Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certificate.
- Contact MPEDA office – they help find buyers.
- Keep ponds clean – China checks everything.
This is big chance for India to become even bigger player in world seafood market.