Hokkaido scallops become a symbol of strained Japan-China relations
In early November 2025, a ship carrying six tons of Hokkaido scallops departed from a northern Japanese port en route to China. This shipment was intended as a milestone signaling warming ties after Beijing lifted a yearlong ban on Japanese seafood. However, midway through the journey, tensions escalated when Japan’s prime minister expressed willingness to defend Taiwan against China, prompting Beijing to reinstate the seafood ban.
Source The New York Times
The Hokkaido scallop has unexpectedly become a diplomatic pawn in the volatile relationship between Tokyo and Beijing. For China, scallops represent a tool of economic pressure; for Japan’s allies, consuming them is viewed as defiance against coercion; and for Japan, the situation serves as a lesson in reducing its dependency on China. On Hokkaido island, the main scallop harvesting area, local industry representatives express confusion over being entangled in geopolitical struggles.
This episode highlights the complexities of modern regional diplomacy and the delicate balance between economic interests and political realities. Future developments will hinge on ongoing negotiations and the willingness of both parties to find compromise.
