Japanese Businessmen Meet Chinese Premier, Urge Withdrawal of Seafood Import Ban

Li Qiang, Premier of China. [Photo by Yonhap News]

A delegation of Japanese business leaders visiting China met with Chinese Premier Li Chang and demanded the withdrawal of China's ban on imports of Japanese seafood. However, Premier Li did not provide a clear response to these demands.

According to Kyodo News on the 25th, the delegation representing the Japanese business community, including the Japan-China Economic Association, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, met with Premier Li at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that morning.

The delegation leader, Shin Do Kosei, chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association (and chairman of Nippon Steel), and Tokura Masakazu, chairman of Keidanren (and chairman of Sumitomo Chemical), stated that China's ban on imports of Japanese seafood has caused "anti-China sentiment among the Japanese public to worsen to an unprecedented level, creating a trend where Japanese companies are reluctant to invest in China." They added, "We hope China will trust Japan's scientifically based explanations and actively respond to maintain and develop bilateral relations."

Premier Li reportedly did not give a clear answer to Japan's demands. However, he said, "The deep integration of the Chinese and Japanese economies and economic and trade cooperation are the fulcrum and propeller of bilateral relations," and added, "China supports exploring cooperative potential with Japan and strengthening cooperation between companies of both countries in areas such as science and technology, innovation, and the digital economy to realize higher levels of mutual benefit."

Premier Li further stated, "All sectors of China and Japan must work together to revive the original intention of normalizing diplomatic relations and implement a political consensus that there is no threat," and expressed hope that "Japan will appropriately handle principled issues such as history and Taiwan."

Additionally, the Japanese delegation criticized China's government for the revised 'Anti-Espionage Law' enacted last year, saying, "The lack of transparency in its enforcement has caused distrust and anxiety among many Japanese citizens." The delegation also requested the restoration of visa exemptions for short-term stays by Japanese nationals, which were suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, about 180 members of the Japanese business delegation are visiting China for a 3-night, 4-day trip starting on the 23rd, marking the first visit in about four years since the COVID-19 pandemic.