Storyline: Tensions between China and Japan have escalated in recent weeks following the erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi over Taiwan. In Okinawa, residents say the economic impact is already being felt. Shirota Takahiro goes out to sea off the waters of Okinawa for up to ten days at a time, catching tuna in the summer and squid in the winter. But recently, he's started to worry that the waters around Okinawa may no longer feel safe due to the current geopolitical climate. "It does make me wonder if it will become harder to fish in these areas safely in the future," he said. These waters have long supported the island's fishermen. Seafood exports to China alone account for 15 percent of Okinawa's total exports. But now many people in the industry said politics could put their livelihoods at risk. The local seafood vendors said business is already feeling the impact. Chinese tourists, who make up roughly a third of all visitors to Okinawa, are slowly beginning to dwindle. "We usually get a lot of Chinese tourists coming in when the ferries and cruise ships arrive in Okinawa. When those ships were coming regularly, many of those tourists would visit our shop first. But recently, there have been cruise ships turning back or having their sailing schedules canceled. So compared to before, we're definitely seeing fewer visitors," said Shiori Nakahata, a local seafood vendor. In the heart of the local seafood market, daily business and life continue. But beneath the hustle and bustle, many people quietly worry that when political tensions rise, the economy is the first to feel the shock. "From now to the next month, it should be a period of growth normally. But I'm unsure how things will turn out. Going forward, I'm watching carefully to see how the flow of customers develops," said Aya Hanashiro, another seafood vendor. From the fishing boats of Itoman to the bustling stalls of Naha, Okinawans say they are aware their livelihoods are tied to both peace and stability. Rising tensions over Taiwan may be thousands of kilometers away, but on the island, the stakes are measured in daily catches, tourist visits and family incomes. Takaichi on November 7, 2025 made blatant and provocative remarks on Taiwan at the Diet, claiming that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, and implying that Japan might invoke the so-called "right to collective self-defense" for armed intervention across the Taiwan Strait. The statement triggered strong opposition both within Japan and abroad. Shotlist: Okinawa, Japan - Nov 24, 2025: 1. Various of ships in harbor; fisherman Shirota Takahiro preparing fishing net 2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shirota Takahiro, fisherman: "It does make me wonder if it will become harder to fish in these areas safely in the future." 3. Various of people in seafood market 4. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shiori Nakahata, seafood vendor (starting with shot 3): "We usually get a lot of Chinese tourists coming in when the ferries and cruise ships arrive in Okinawa. When those ships were coming regularly, many of those tourists would visit our shop first. But recently, there have been cruise ships turning back or having their sailing schedules canceled. So compared to before, we're definitely seeing fewer visitors." 5. Various of people in market 6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Aya Hanashiro, seafood vendor (starting with shot 5): "From now to the next month, it should be a period of growth normally. But I'm unsure how things will turn out. Going forward, I'm watching carefully to see how the flow of customers develops." 7. Various of seafood market [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]