Japan's Support for Taiwan Sparks Seafood Diplomacy

With sushi lunches and chocolate bars featuring Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Taiwan is embracing what is being termed 'sushi diplomacy' in response to increased Chinese aggression. Following Takaichi's remarks that Japan could respond militarily to a Chinese attempt to take over Taiwan, Beijing retaliated by dispatching military ships to patrol disputed waters near Japan and advising its citizens against traveling there. This diplomatic tension has also led to China restricting imports of Japanese seafood.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, aiming to strengthen ties with Japan, posted a video of himself enjoying sushi made from Japanese seafood, including scallops from Hokkaido and yellowtail from Kyushu. He highlighted the 'firm friendship' between the two nations and encouraged Taiwanese to indulge in Japanese cuisine. This comes after Taiwan lifted restrictions on Japanese food imports that had been in place since the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011.

The lifting of these restrictions is a reciprocal gesture reminiscent of Japan's support for Taiwan in the past, particularly when Japan ordered a record 19,000 tons of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 after China banned their imports. Such moves illustrate the deepening ties between Japan and Taiwan as they navigate the complex geopolitical landscape posed by China's assertiveness.

The recent events underscore the importance of soft power in international relations, as Taiwan aims to leverage its cultural connections with Japan to bolster its own international standing in the face of ongoing threats from Beijing. The situation remains dynamic, with Taiwan adopting a proactive stance in utilizing 'seafood diplomacy' as a means of expressing solidarity with Japan while countering China's increasing isolation tactics.