November 21, 2025 | 04:27 pm
TEMPO.COM, Jakarta - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te showed open support for Japan on Thursday by posting a Japanese-sourced sushi lunch on social media. In the post, Lai showed himself enjoying sushi with yellowtail fish from Kagoshima Prefecture and scallops from Hokkaido.
"Today's lunch is sushi and miso soup," Lai wrote. The post came after China hinted at plans to ban all imports of Japanese seafood, reigniting the row involving Taiwan.
According to The Japan Times, tensions escalated after Japan's new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, stated that Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival could trigger a military response.
Support for Tokyo
In recent years, Taiwan has also faced bans on food exports by China, ranging from pineapples to fish, which Taipei describes as part of Beijing's political pressure.
Speaking to reporters in parliament on Thursday morning, Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung condemned China's maneuvers. He said that Beijing uses economic pressure and military intimidation to bully other countries.
"At this critical juncture, we must also support Japan in effectively stabilizing the situation and halting the Chinese communists' bullying behavior," he said.
Lin also urged Taiwanese people to visit Japan more often and buy more Japanese products as a sign of friendship.
Strong Response from Beijing
In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated China's claim to Taiwan. "No matter what show the Lai Ching-te authorities put on, it cannot change this ironclad fact," she said, as reported by CNA.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to take over the island.
The Taiwan government rejects that claim, emphasizing that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future.
Meanwhile, Japan and Taiwan have close ties despite the absence of official diplomatic relations. Cultural and economic relations are strong, partly due to Japan's rule over Taiwan from 1895 until the end of World War II in 1945.
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